MONTGOMERY – From Friday, Feb. 21, to Sunday, Feb. 23, Alabama shoppers will be able to purchase severe weather preparedness supplies tax free. During the three-day tax holiday, consumers can stock up on these needed supplies and save money. Recent winter storms point out the need for Alabamians to have some of these supplies, not only in their homes but also in their vehicles.
From 12:01 a.m. Feb. 21 to midnight Feb. 23, the following items, which the American Red Cross or Federal Emergency Management Agency recommend be included in any emergency kit and cost $60 or less, can be purchased without paying Alabama’s four-percent sales tax:
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Flashlights, lanterns |
Battery-powered or hand-crank radio | Batteries |
| First-aid kits | Cell phone charger | Two-way radios |
| Manual can openers | Plastic sheeting | Duct tape |
| Fire extinguishers | Tie-down kits, bungee cords or rope |
Other tax-free items include: Coolers and ice packs and smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors plus plywood and window film. For a full list of the tax-free items, go to:
alabamaretail.org/alabamasalestaxholidays
As many as 225 city and county governments also are waiving their sales tax on the select emergency supplies, which adds up to as much as 10 percent savings for consumers in some areas of the state.
Alabama is one of three states with a severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday. Louisiana and Virginia hold their emergency preparedness sales tax holidays in May. Alabama Retail recommends having enough supplies in emergency kits to last 72 hours following a disaster. For information on what items to include in emergency kits, as well as steps to take before and after disasters, visit ready.gov.
“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.”
Alabama Retail and the Red Cross encourage Alabama residents to properly prepare before disaster strikes. Businesses can help the Red Cross in its mission to provide disaster relief to as many people as possible by participating in the Consumer Donation Program. The program allows businesses to collect monetary donations either in store or online from both customers and employees. Stores interested in asking customers to give what they save during the tax holiday to the Red Cross in Alabama should contact Katie Garfinkle at Katie.Garfinkle@redcross.org or 205.439.7868.
ABOUT ALABAMA RETAIL: The Alabama Retail Association represents 4,000 independent merchants and national companies that sell food, clothing, furniture and other general merchandise at more than 6,000 locations throughout Alabama. Since 1943, it has been the goal of the Alabama Retail Association to serve its members and promote what is best for the retailing industry in the state of Alabama.
MEDIA CONTACT: Nancy King Dennis | 334.551.0643 | 800.239.5423 |ndennis@alabamaretail.org
ABOUT RED CROSS: The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation’s blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization — not a government agency — and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or alredcross.org.