Back-to-school tax holiday set for July 20-22

For the second year in a row, the back-to-school tax-free weekend will take place in July.

The change occurred statewide in 2017 after schools expressed interest in moving the holiday up from the first week of August, according to Shelby County Chief Financial Officer Butch Burbage. 

This year’s tax-free weekend will take place from July 20-22 and marks the state’s 13th annual sales tax holiday, according to the Alabama Department of Revenue. 

The cities of Birmingham, Chelsea, Hoover and Vestavia Hills, as well as Shelby County and Jefferson County are set to participate, according to the Department of Revenue. In Jefferson County, however, the holiday only applies to the regular sales and use tax of 1 percent. In other municipalities, the holiday applies to the state sales tax.

Items that are exempt from sales tax include apparel items less than $100 per article of clothing; computers, computer software and school computer supplies less than $750; books less than $30 per item and other assorted school supplies, school art supplies and school instructional supplies less than $50 per item.

Taxable items include handbags, jewelry and other clothing accessories, protective equipment and recreational equipment, according to a list provided by the Department of Revenue. Furniture and systems or devices intended for recreational use are also taxable.

For a full list of tax-exempt and taxable items, contact the Department of Revenue Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at 334-242-1490 or 866-576-6531, or go to revenue.alabama.gov/sales-use/sales-tax-holidays.