MONTGOMERY – For the first time in its 12-year history, Alabama’s Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday will be observed in July. During the Legislature’s 2017 regular session,
lawmakers voted to officially change the date, moving it from the first weekend in August to the third weekend in July. The date change ensures the tax holiday will occur every year before the start of the school year throughout the state.
From 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 21, until midnight, Sunday, July 23, the state waives its four-percent sales tax on school-related supplies and clothing. Hundreds of cities and counties throughout Alabama waive their local taxes as well; they have until June 21, to notify the state of their participation. Exempt items include:
- clothing priced at $100 or less per article of clothing;
- school supplies valued at $50 or less per item;
- books that cost $30 or less per book; and
- tablets, laptops, computers and printers with a selling price of $750 or less.
>> Learn more at alabamaretail.org/alabamasalestaxholidays
>> Sales Tax Holiday Printable Poster
IS YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT GOING TAX FREE TOO?
During this weekend, shoppers statewide don’t pay the state’s four percent sales or use tax on purchases of qualifying school supplies, books, computers and clothing. Cities and counties can also opt to make those items exempt, but they must notify the state that they will participate in the 2017 holiday by June 21. As of June 12, 296 cities and counties had opted in.
Check the 2017 PARTICIPATING CITIES AND COUNTIES list to determine if your local communities are participating. The number of cities and counties adding their tax savings to the holiday could grow as the Alabama Department of Revenue receives notifications and updates it website. Check back periodically until the tax holiday weekend, or contact your local governments.
ALABAMA RETAIL PROMOTES SHOP ALABAMA
In conjunction with the back-to-school shopping season, the Alabama Retail Association this week will continue its campaign encouraging shoppers to buy from retailers with a presence in Alabama. We are promoting the use of the hashtag – #ShopAlabama – and will be sharing content that will benefit both shoppers and retailers. Follow along on our Alabama Retail Facebook event page!
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Melissa Warnke | 256.338.0621 (c) | mwarnke@alabamaretail.org
Nancy Dennis | 334.551.0643 | ndennis@alabamaretail.org
This media release was originally posted June 9, 2017.