The Alabama Retail Association (ARA) is a 501(c)6 non-profit corporation created in 1943. ARA’s Board of Directors consists of retailers located throughout the state selling various goods and services. ARA’s mission is to provide educational information to the business community, to provide cost-saving products to its membership and to promote a legislative action program to improve the business environment in Alabama.

ARA’s legislative program is broad in nature and includes work to influence legislation affecting laws on taxes, tort reform, workers’ compensation, unemployment compensation, shoplifting, worthless checks, pharmacy, food labeling and food safety, just to name a few.

ARA’s Board of Directors believes it is important to elect qualified candidates to the legislative, judicial and executive branches of government in Alabama. To accomplish this goal, ARA founded Retail PAC. Retail PAC endorses and financially supports pro-business candidates in every branch of Alabama’s government.

ARA’s bylaws contain a provision whereby the Board can allocate up to thirty percent (30%) of your membership dues, subject to the maximum amount allowed by State law, to Retail PAC. If you decide not to allocate a portion of your dues to Retail PAC as a voluntary contribution, you must inform ARA in writing (in the comments section of any payment form or page or by other written notice) when you remit your dues payment.

Contributions to Retail PAC are voluntary and are not deductible for income tax purposes. You have the right to refuse to contribute to Retail PAC without any reprisal. A portion of your dues is not tax deductible due to ARA’s legislative program.  Membership dues are not tax deductible as a charitable contribution. However, a portion of your dues payment may be tax deductible as a business expense. You should consult your tax advisor to make this determination. Upon payment, ARA will provide you with an estimate as to the portion of your dues that may be deductible as a business expense. Dues must be paid each year in order to keep your workers’ compensation coverage with Alabama Retail Comp in effect.