News Staff Report
Alabama’s 17th annual back-to-school sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. this Friday, July 15, and ends at midnight Sunday, July 17.
Shoppers will again have the opportunity to purchase most school supplies, computers, books and clothing free of state sales or use taxes, and in many cases, free of municipal or county sales taxes.
According to the Alabama Department of Revenue website, businesses in Atmore will participate in the holiday and will waive the 4-percent state tax, as well as city sales taxes for qualified purchases. Stores in East Brewton will also observe the holiday.
Neither Brewton nor Flomaton had notified the state by June 24 of whether either would observe the holiday. (ADOR requires cities, towns and counties that will take part to notify the state at least 30 days in advance of the holiday.)
As has been the case for years, Escambia County will not waive its 2-percent tax.
Among the items eligible for tax-free purchase are most any item of clothing ($100 or less per item); computer, computer supplies or computer software (aggregate price of $750); virtually any school supplies, including art supplies, and all instructional manuals, defined as “all written material commonly used by a student in a course of study as a reference and to learn the subject being taught.”
For more information about the holiday, call 334-242-1490 or 866-576-6531 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (CST), Monday through Friday. For a complete list of eligible items, visit revenue.alabama.gov.