If you want to learn everything you need to know about Alabama’s tax free weekend you’ve come to the right place.
Alabama’s tax free weekend represents the perfect time to make savings on essential items and buy products you might otherwise not be able to afford.
To be able to make great savings and find the best deals, you first need to know exactly when Alabama’s tax free weekend is, how long it runs, and what products and services are tax free.
That’s where we come in. To make sure you’re ready for Alabama’s tax free weekend, we’ve put together this straightforward post that outlines everything you need to know.
We’ll tell you when the weekend is, why it happens, and what’s included.
We have everything you need if you want to make savings.
Let’s jump straight in!
Contents
When Is Tax Free Weekend In Alabama?
Alabama actually has two tax free weekends. The first of these tax free weekends is the Severe Weather Preparedness weekend which gives families the opportunity to stock up on essential emergency supplies.
This tax free weekend starts on the Friday of the last full weekend in February and runs until midnight on the following Sunday.
In 2022, this tax free weekend started at 12:01 am on Friday 25th and ended at 12:00 pm on Sunday 27th.
The second tax free weekend in Alabama takes place on the third Friday in July and ends on the following Sunday.
This tax free holiday is known as the Back-To-School tax free weekend. In 2022, this tax free period will start at 12:01 am on July 15th and end at 12:00 pm on July 17th.
What Is A Tax Free Weekend?
For those that aren’t sure, a tax free weekend or tax holiday are specific dates on which certain products are exempt from tax.
For you, that essentially means you won’t have to pay as much for certain products during the tax free period.
They were designed to encourage spending and to make specific items more affordable for families at a time when they need it most.
The items included in the tax free period will depend on the reason for having the tax free holiday.
For example, during Alabama’s Back-To-School tax holiday school supplies are all tax free.
It is worth noting that it also doesn’t matter where you buy products from. Whether you spend your money in-store or online, your purchase will be free from any tax.
In Alabama, that means you save the 4% tax you normally pay on every purchase.
Back-To-School Tax Free Weekend – Products Exempt From Tax
One of the main objectives of Alabama’s Back-To-School tax holiday is to help families on low incomes pay for the essential school supplies their children need.
Below, you’ll find the items exempt from tax during this tax holiday:
- Clothing (under $100 per item) – Clothing such as jeans, shirts, jackets, dresses, shoes, and school uniforms.
- School supplies – School supplies such as book bags, art supplies, instructional material, calculators, lunch boxes, and notebooks are all tax free.
- Books (Up to $30 each) – Non-fiction and fiction books for all ages and up to $30 each are all free from tax. They must be published in a volume that has an ISBN number.
- School computer supplies (up to $750 per item) – Laptops, keyboards, monitors, software, and printers.
Back-To-School Tax Free Weekend – Products Not Exempt From Tax
The following products AREN’T free from tax during the Back-To-School tax free weekend:
- Magazines and newspapers.
- Protective or sports equipment.
- Jewelry, hair accessories, and cosmetics.
- Sunglasses, umbrellas, and wallets.
- Smartphones, non-educational tech products, and video games.
- Chairs, desks, and other types of furniture.
Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Free Weekend – Products Exempt From Tax
Alabama’s Severe Weather Preparedness tax free weekend took place for its 11th year in 2022. The main objective of the weekend is to give families the opportunity to prepare for adverse weather conditions.
As you probably already know, emergency weather supplies can be expensive. Therefore, this weekend gives families the chance to prepare correctly and buy everything they need.
In some parts of Alabama, families can save as much as 10% from tax exemptions.
Here are the products exempt from tax during this tax free weekend:
- Flashlights
- Radios
- Two-way radios
- Cell Phone chargers
- Portable generators
- Batteries
- First-aid kits
- Two-way radios
- Tarps and plastic sheeting
- Extension cords
- Manual can openers
- Duct tape
- Tie-down kits, rope, and bungee cords
- Coolers
- Plywood
- Ice packs
- Window film
- Carbon monoxide detectors
Severe Weather Preparedness Tax Free Weekend – Products Not Exempt From Tax
As far as products that aren’t exempt from tax during Alabama’s Severe Weather Preparedness tax free weekend go, anything that isn’t on the list above is unfortunately not exempt from tax.
Unlike the Back-To-School tax free weekend, the Severe Weather Preparedness tax holiday is a lot more niche, focusing on a much smaller list of items.
If the item you plan on buying isn’t on our list of exempt products, you will have to pay at least 4% tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Taxes In Alabama High Or Low?
Compared to other states around America, taxes in Alabama are very low. The tax percentage in Alabama is 4%. This is 2% lower than Florida and 2.25% lower than Texas.
Why Were Tax Free Weekends Introduced?
Tax free weekends were introduced to give families with a lower income the opportunity to buy essentials they might not normally be able to afford.
Without a tax free weekend, many families would struggle to pay for all the essentials their children need.
Can I Use A Gift Card To Buy Exempt Products?
Yes, you can use a gift card to pay for exempt products. However, you can’t use one to lower the price of an item so it becomes eligible for tax exemption.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, everything you need to know about Alabama’s tax free weekends.
You should know now that Alabama has two tax free weekends, one that runs in February and the other in July.
Both tax free weekends are designed to make life easier for those with lower income, and both run for three days.
One lets you buy essential school supplies without paying tax and the other emergency weather supplies.
Now you have all this information at your disposal, why not work out how you plan on making the most out of the next tax free weekend!
