What Immigrants Should Know About Black Friday Taxes in 2025

(UNITED STATES) Retailers are bracing for a rush of immigrant shoppers as the 2025 holiday buying stretch kicks off on Black Friday, Nov. 28, and runs through Cyber Monday, Dec. 1. For many newcomers, Thanksgiving shopping is their first taste of the seasonal buying surge that sweeps malls and websites across the country. But this year’s frenzy comes with a recurring reminder: while discounts will be loud and visible, the most important numbers may be the quieter ones added at the register. State and local sales tax, not included in price tags, can change the final bill sharply—especially on electronics and furniture.

Sales tax basics: what newcomers should know

Across the country, small differences in where a purchase happens can mean a big difference at checkout. In broad terms, combined sales tax rates often land between 6% and 10%, and totals can climb past that mark in some cities. Some states levy no general sales tax at all, which drives cross-border shopping during holiday weekends. Other places rank among the costliest, stacking state, county, and city rates into a final charge that surprises first-time buyers.

Consumer advocates’ simple message to immigrants, visa holders, and international students drawn by doorbusters is:

• Plan for the tax line.
• Know your local rate before you tap your card.

Refunds and exceptions: the limited cases

The hunt for tax relief, common among tourists in VAT countries, rarely pays off in the United States. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, most shoppers—including F-1 students, H-1B professionals, and pending green card applicants—cannot claim a sales tax refund after Black Friday or Cyber Monday purchases.

Key points:

• The United States does not run a nationwide VAT-style refund program for visitors or nonresidents.
• For the vast majority of buyers, the sales tax charged is final.
• Narrow exceptions include:
  • Certain foreign diplomats (possible exemptions),
  • Duty-free stores at airports for international departures,
  • A few state-specific refund programs (notably in Texas and Louisiana) that have strict eligibility rules and heavy paperwork.

Online shopping and the Wayfair effect

Online shopping will not shield buyers from tax. Since the Supreme Court’s 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair decision, most big e-commerce platforms collect sales tax based on the delivery address, even if the seller has no physical store in a state. That shift ended years of uneven treatment between online and brick-and-mortar sales.

• Cyber Monday may offer free shipping and quick delivery, but tax calculation usually follows the same route as an in-store purchase.
• Some buyers try shipping to friends or pickup lockers in lower-tax states, but many will still owe a “use tax” back home when the item is brought into their state—a detail often discovered only at filing time.

Business purchases and tax filings

Tax questions get more complex when work and study mix with shopping. Self-employed immigrants, international freelancers, and digital nomads who file U.S. tax returns may be able to claim deductions on business purchases (laptops, software, office gear) if the items are used for work.

• Nonresidents who file can use Form 1040-NR; independent contractors may attach Schedule C.
• The IRS provides filing details and eligibility on its official page for Form 1040-NR.
• Keep receipts and note the business purpose.

Students, however, generally cannot deduct personal electronics or dorm goods unless they meet strict rules for qualified education expenses.

Shipping gifts abroad: taxes and customs

For immigrant families, the shopping season often stretches beyond U.S. borders. Many people buy gifts here and ship them abroad for December festivals and New Year gatherings.

• The United States does not charge tax on exports, but packages can face import duties and GST in the destination country.
• Example: Indian-origin shoppers report customs duties on electronics can run as high as 35% to 40% of the item’s value.
• Shippers recommend declaring the true value, attaching proof of purchase if asked, and expecting the recipient to pay any duties or fees before release.

How sales tax shapes travel and shopping patterns

The sales tax puzzle can reshape travel plans and shopping behavior:

• Residents of no-tax states often travel to outlet stores near state borders to save.
• City residents facing higher local rates may time trips to rural doorbusters with lower totals.
• Retail analysts expect these patterns to reappear, though inventory and price swings may matter more than tax in many categories.

The big takeaway: the sticker price rarely equals the final price, and the difference grows with the size of the purchase.

Black Friday strategy: tax-aware shopping

Black Friday strategy becomes more than a game of coupons and cart timers. Buyers mixing in-store and online shopping should expect similar tax results on most items:

• Brick-and-mortar: tax collected based on store location.
• Online: tax collected based on delivery address.
• Out-of-state shipping doesn’t always avoid tax; it often just changes where it’s paid.

Since Wayfair narrowed the gap between Cyber Monday and in-person buying, the better deal commonly comes down to the base price, not the removal of tax.

Charitable giving and tax implications

Immigrants watching their U.S. tax status may consider holiday giving:

• Charitable donations (e.g., on Giving Tuesday) can be deductible when sent to IRS-recognized organizations if the filer itemizes.
• Nonresident filers should confirm status and eligibility—rules differ from resident returns.
• For many students and short-term visitors: expect no credit for most holiday shopping and don’t bank on a refund to offset a big-ticket purchase.

Campus considerations for international students

Early-season deals attract international students buying winter clothing and study gear—often one of their first major financial decisions in the U.S.

• Common question: Why did the price jump at checkout, and can I get the extra money back?
• Answer: price tags usually exclude tax; the added amount is a regular part of the purchase, not a refundable deposit.
• Students working part-time as contractors or running small businesses may have different tax conversations at filing time but must meet U.S. filing rules and keep clear records.

Community-specific notes (Indian diaspora example)

For the Indian diaspora, the Thanksgiving-to-New-Year window functions like an annual event:

• Families use Black Friday travel deals to book year-end visits and buy discounted goods to send to relatives in India.
• Community groups warn that first-time senders often underestimate duties on high-value goods and the risk of delays when declared values look unrealistic.
• Recommendations:
  • Budget for duties,
  • Avoid cutting corners on customs declarations.

Returns, refunds, and identity checks

Retailers expect the familiar post-Thanksgiving scene: lines before dawn and website queues. Immigration lawyers and community advisors expect a wave of questions about non-existent refunds and returns that trigger identity checks.

• Store policies may require the original payment method and the same ID used at purchase.
• This creates extra steps for visitors using international cards or who switch to a U.S. bank mid-semester.
• Advisers suggest reading return policies before buying gifts—especially if planning to ship items overseas or travel soon after purchase.

Final checklist for newcomers

As the four-day shopping stretch unfolds, the core advice remains steady:

1. Check your local sales tax rate before buying big-ticket items.
2. Remember most online orders collect sales tax to your delivery address.
3. Do not expect a general sales tax refund unless you clearly qualify for a narrow exception.
4. Keep receipts if an item will be used for work and you plan to claim a deduction on Form 1040-NR.
5. Declare true value and keep proof when shipping goods abroad.
6. Read return policies and be prepared for possible ID and payment-method requirements at returns.

Retailers will keep driving hard bargains over Black Friday weekend. For immigrants and international students who want the full American shopping experience, the best savings often come from knowing how the tax line works long before the cashier rings the total.