News Staff Report
Alabama’s ninth severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, and ends at midnight, Sunday, Feb. 23. Alabama is one of three states with a severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday in 2020.
The three-day period allows Alabama shoppers to stock up tax-free on common supplies that cost less than $60 that every home and business needs to prepare for a natural disaster or even a general emergency. Generators costing $1,000 or less also can be purchased free of the state’s four-percent sales tax during the three-day tax holiday.
Alabamians are encouraged to restock emergency supplies in homes, workplaces and vehicles during this three-day tax holiday. Certain emergency preparedness items will be exempt from the state’s 4-percent state sales tax, and in some cities and counties, local taxes are waived on those items as well. Shoppers can save as much as 10 percent on these items in some areas of the state.
According to the Alabama Department of Revenue website, Escambia County will not waive its sales taxes, but Atmore Mayor Jim Staff said this week the city would participate in the annual event. The most recent check of the website indicates Brewton will not participate, and East Brewton and Flomaton had not yet decided.
Tax-exempt items priced at $60 or less include flashlights, lanterns, battery-powered or hand-cranked radio, batteries, first-aid kits, cell phone charger, tarps and plastic sheeting, fire extinguishers, tie-down kits, bungee cords or rope, and numerous items.
Even coolers, plywood, duct tape and smoke-fire-carbon monoxide detectors are exempt. Portable generators and power cords costing $1,000 or less are also tax free.
For a full list of tax-free items, go to the severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday page at alabamaretail.org. To learn more about the “holiday,” visit alabamaretail.org/salestaxholidays.