By DON FLETCHER
News Staff Writer
The State of Alabama’s annual Back to School Sales Tax Holiday, during which no state sales or use tax is charged for covered items, will take place this weekend, starting at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 19, and continuing through midnight Sunday, July 21.
This is the 19th year the state’s revenue department has waived state sales taxes in order to help individuals and families cut some of the cost of preparing for the new school term.
According to a listing of governmental entities that will observe the holiday and waive local sales taxes, Atmore and East Brewton are the only ones to have informed the state that they would participate in the tax moratorium, creating even more savings for consumers.
“With the upcoming school year just around the corner, I encourage everyone to take full advantage of our Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “This is an opportunity to save on essential school supplies, and ensure our students are well-prepared and excited to learn.”
The listing shows that Brewton, Flomaton and Escambia County officials had not notified Alabama Department of Revenue by July 15 of their intentions regarding the sales tax waiver.
Eligible items include clothing ($100 or less per article), including school uniforms, belts, boots and even diapers. Computers that cost $750 or less are also exempt from sales taxes, as are disks, printers and supplies that cost $50 or less each.
All school supplies — including pencils, pens, composition books, binders and lunch boxes — are tax-free during the weekend “holiday,” and books (bound and with an ISBN number, no magazines) that cost $30 or less are also eligible.
For a complete list of eligible and ineligible items, visit revenue.alabama.gov.