The 19th annual back-to-school sales tax holiday is this weekend, and parents are being encouraged to take advantage of the savings.
Gov. Kay Ivey said families should use the occasion to stock up on school supplies.
“With the upcoming school year just around the corner, I encourage everyone to take full advantage of our Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday,” Ivey said in a press release. “This is an opportunity to save on essential school supplies and ensure our students are well-prepared and excited to learn.”
From 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 19, until midnight Sunday, July 21, the state will waive its 4% sales tax on school-related supplies and clothes. More than 300 cities and counties throughout Alabama also are waiving their local taxes. In some areas, the savings reach 10%.
Check the 2024 Participating Cities and Counties list to determine which local communities are participating.
This marks the eighth time the annual tax holiday will take place during the third weekend of July.
Tax-exempt items include:
- Clothing priced at $100 or less per article.
- School supplies valued at $50 or less per item.
- Books that cost $30 or less per book.
- Tablets, laptops, computers and printers with a selling price of $750 or less.
Here’s a full list of exempt items.
#ShopAlabama to save money
A wide range of items are exempt during the sales tax holiday, so there is a reason for everyone to shop. (contributed)
The sales tax holiday provides shoppers a way to save money and support their local economies, especially businesses that sell the covered items exclusively, like shoe, children’s apparel, school supply, book and computer stores.
“The sales tax holiday offers parents a way to save on back-to-school needs,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown. “Saving money for consumers while stimulating sales for stores is what this weekend is all about.”
“Every little bit helps with inflation, so 10 percent savings is pretty big,” said Brian Schroll of The Name Dropper and Storkland in Montgomery, which has a 10% sales tax rate. His mother, Shea Schroll, said the tax holiday “definitely helps” her family business. She said her customers “love to save the sales tax on backpacks, shoes and clothing.”
According to the National Retail Federation’s latest survey, families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics. This is approximately $15 less than last year’s record of $890.07 but is the second-highest amount in the survey’s history.
Reason for everyone to shop
Although the sales tax holiday targets back-to-school shoppers, any consumer can benefit from the savings offered during the weekend. A wide range of items are exempt during the holiday, so there is a reason for everyone to shop.
Some of the widely needed items include diapers, printer ink, thumb or flash drives, printer paper and art supplies.
The Alabama Retail Association encourages shoppers to buy from local retailers by promoting the use of the #ShopAlabama hashtag. “Shopping with businesses that have a physical presence in your local area keeps businesses open and your neighbors employed,” Brown said.
“This is tax relief at the perfect time for parents as they prepare for a new school year,” said Alabama Department of Revenue Commissioner Vernon Barnett. “Many counties, cities and towns are participating as well, so we encourage everyone in Alabama to take advantage of this tax-free opportunity.”
Learn more about resources for consumers and retailers compiled by Alabama Retail Association.
A version of this story was originally published by the Alabama Retail Association.
