Many parents are relieved that the kids are almost ready to head back to school, but concerned in these tough economic times, about the many costs of back to school shopping. One way to save is to take advantage of tax free shopping holidays if your state offers one.

During these tax free weeks, you don't have to pay state sales tax on certain school-related items...from pencils and notebooks to sneakers and laptops depending on your state.

Many states cancelled their tax free shopping holidays this year thanks to budget constraints, but there are still plenty that kick in in the next few weeks.

For the most up-to-the-minute information, check your state's website for back-to-school tax-free shopping holidays!

Here's a sample of some of the programs we found:

• Alabama - August 7-9, covers clothing less than $100 per item, computers/software/computer supplies less than $750, school supplies less than 50 per item, books less than $30 per item. Not all counties participate.
• Connecticut - August 16-22, clothing and footwear less than $300. Iowa - August 7-8, covers clothing/footwear less than $100 per item.
• Missouri - August 7-9, clothing less than $100 each, school supplies less than $50 each, computer/equipment less than $3500.
• New Mexico - August 7-9, clothing/footwear less than $100 each, school supplies less than $15 each, computers less than $1000 and computer equipment less than $500.
• North Carolina - August 7-9, covers clothing less than $100 per item, school instructional materials less than $300 per item, sports & recreational equipment less than $50 per item, computers/software/computer supplies less than $250 per item.
• Oklahoma - August 7-9, covers clothing/footwear less than $100 each.
• South Carolina - August 7-9, exempts clothing, school supplies computers & computer software, towels, sheets, and other items.
• Tennessee - August 7-9 - Clothing less than $100 per item, school and art supplies less than $100 per item and computers less than $1500 per bundled package
• Texas - August 21-23, clothing/footwear less than $100 and backpacks less than $100.
• Virginia - August 7-9, back-to-school sales tax holiday on school supplies less than $20 per item and clothing/footwear less than $100 per item.

Again, check with your state to confirm these dates and rules since tight state budgets have lawmakers shutting down some tax-free shopping programs and changing others.

Many states hadn't yet passed a tax free holiday, but that could change, so if your state isn't listed check both your state's website and the tax free shopping holiday list run by the Federation of Tax Administrators.