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A family budget for the school year
School costs add up. A simple list and a small weekly plan can make it easier. Use the calculator, see examples, and find free help.
General information, not financial or tax advice. Prices are made-up examples. Check your school's supply list and the official offices linked below.
Budget calculator
Change any price. Add 0 for things you already have. Your numbers stay only on this device.
| Item | Price per child ($) |
|---|---|
Free help that may lower costs
Free school meals
Starting in the 2025-26 school year, New York's universal school meals program gives free breakfast and lunch to all students in schools that take part in the national school breakfast and lunch programs, whatever the family's income. Ask your school if it takes part.
Clothing and shoes
Clothing and footwear under $110 per item or pair are exempt from New York's 4% state sales tax. Local sales tax may still apply, depending on where you shop. See the NYS Tax Department page.
Your public library
A free library card: books, e-books, homework help and quiet study space. Ask your local library what it offers.
Ask the school
Many schools lend devices and can help with supplies or activity fees. The school counselor or social worker can tell you what is available. It is okay to ask.
Free practice
Goal100's Free Preview: lessons 1 to 3 of every course and extra, in every grade. No account, no ads.
We do not use affiliate links and we do not earn money from any store.
Examples with step-by-step math
A family with 2 children
Sales tax on sneakers
One pair of sneakers costs $60. That is under $110, so the 4% state sales tax does not apply.
Local sales tax depends on where you shop. Check the NYS Tax Department's clothing exemption page.
School meals and the family budget
When the Governor's office announced the program, it estimated families save an average of about $165 per child per month. Here is what that estimate would mean over a school year (made-up: 10 school months, 2 children).
Your real savings depend on how often your children eat school meals.
Spreading a big cost
A $120 activity fee is due in 6 weeks.
Starting earlier makes each step smaller.
Questions people ask
Does New York have a back-to-school sales tax holiday?
New York exempts clothing and footwear under $110 from the 4% state sales tax all year. Local tax rules depend on the locality. See the NYS Tax Department page in the Sources.
Are school supplies tax-free?
The Tax Department's clothing exemption page covers clothing and footwear. For other items, check the NYS Tax Department website (its clothing page points to Publication 718-C for lists of exempt and taxable items) or ask a tax professional.
Who can help if we can't afford a fee?
Talk to the school counselor or social worker. Many schools have quiet ways to help so every student can take part.
Is my budget saved anywhere?
Only in your own browser on this device, so you can come back to it. Nothing is sent to us.
Official sources
Rules can change. If a link and this page ever disagree, the official page wins.
- Governor of New York: universal school meals in effect for the 2025-26 school year (Sept. 5, 2025): https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-celebrates-universal-school-meals-program-effect-during-first-week-2025-26 (checked Nov 7, 2026)
- NYS Department of Taxation and Finance: sales tax clothing exemption: https://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/st/sales_tax_clothing_exemption.htm (checked Nov 7, 2026)