State bumps up tax-free weekend

Shoppers wanting to purchase tax-free school supplies this year are going to have to fight the crowds a little earlier. 

Per a resolution passed by the state Legislature on April 10, Alabama’s 12th annual tax-free holiday will take place in the third week of July instead of in early August. The holiday will begin Friday, July 21, at 12:01 a.m. and end Sunday, July 23, at midnight. 

Butch Burbage, Shelby County’s Chief Financial Officer, said schools have been asking for the sales holiday to be earlier, so people could get their school supplies with less stress.

Tax-free weekends eliminate the sales tax on non-commercial purchases related to school, such as clothing and supplies. 

Computers are on the list of tax-exempt items as long as they cost $750 or less, and computer accessories such as printers and USB drives are exempt as well. Clothing items that cost less than $100 are also tax-free, although if you are looking for athletic equipment those will still be taxed. School supplies with a price of less than $50 per item are also tax-exempt, as are books with a sale price less than $30 per book.  

For more information, contact the Alabama Department of Revenue at 334-242-1490 or 866-576-6531 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. 

A full list of tax-exempt items is available online through the Alabama Department of Revenue at revenue.alabama.gov.