MONTGOMERY – From Friday, Feb. 23, to Sunday, Feb. 25, Alabama will observe its 13th annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. The Alabama Retail Association encourages Alabamians 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. The tax holiday means shoppers can save as much as 10% on these items in some areas of the state.To see if your communities have decided to participate, click on the 2024 Participating Cities and Counties link.
From 12:01 a.m. Feb. 23 to midnight Feb. 25, the tax-exempt items include the following priced at $60 or less:
- Flashlights, lanterns
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Batteries
- First-aid kits
- Cell phone charger
- Two-way radios
- Manual can openers
- Tarps and plastic sheeting
- Duct tape
- Fire extinguishers
- Tie-down kits, bungee cords or rope
Other tax-free items include: Coolers, ice packs, plywood, window film and smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors. Portable generators and power cords costing $1,000 or less are also tax free.
Sales Tax Holiday Printable Poster for Retailers
Severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday page at alabamaretail.org
“Severe weather can occur at any time, in any season,” said Alabama Retail President Rick Brown. “The tax holiday helps Alabama consumers remember to stock and prepare emergency kits to be ready when storms strike.”
Local hardware stores are prepared to serve their communities in the event of a natural disaster. When storms hit and on the rare occasion when it snows, Planters Hardware in Ashland opens even when other businesses are closed. “We are happy to do that to support our community,” said owner Walt Runyan. “Customers tend to wait until disaster strikes to get emergency supplies.”
>> Local hardware store sources for emergency supplies include: Andrews ACE Hardware in Chatom; Greenville Hardware, Greenville: Mary Carter Store, Cullman; Rocky Ridge Hardware, Vestavia Hills; Consolidated Ace Hardware, Dothan and Ozark; and Holley True Value, Selma.
Alabama is one of only two states with a severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday in 2024; the other state is Virginia. Since July 1, 2022, Florida has had a temporary tax exemption for impact-resistant doors, garage doors and windows. That exemption ends June 30, 2024.
>> Learn more at alabamaretail.org/salestaxholidays
The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers, the largest private employer in the state of Alabama, before the Alabama Legislature and the U.S. Congress. Through sales of food, clothing, furniture, medicine and more, our 4,300 independent merchant and national company members touch almost every aspect of daily living. Since 1943, we’ve worked to promote what’s best for the retail industry in Alabama. Whether voicing the retail view when public policy is made, educating members about issues that impact them, negotiating rates for benefits and services or communicating the retail story, the Alabama Retail Association and its members are better together.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nancy King Dennis | 334.868.2195
Originally posted Feb. 14, 2023