Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Begins on Friday

Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Begins on Friday

By Zach Hester, Reporterzach@southerntorch.com

DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. — As part of Alabama's Severe Weather Awareness Week, Alabama will hold a state sales tax holiday for severe weather preparedness supplies from Friday, February 26 to Sunday, February 28.

Since 2012, Alabama has held a sales tax holiday to allow citizens statewide to purchase common supplies under $60 that every home and business needs to be prepared for a natural disaster or emergency. Additionally, generators costing less than $1,000 may be purchased free of the state's four-percent sales tax as well.

Items included in the sales tax holiday: 

  • AAA-cell, AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, 9-volt, and cellular phone batteries
  • Cell phone charger
  • Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio
  • Two-way radios
  • Weatherband radio or NOAA weather radio
  • Portable self-powered light sources like flashlights, lanterns, and emergency glow sticks
  • Tarpaulin
  • Plastic sheeting or drop cloths
  • Flexible, waterproof sheeting
  • Ground anchor systems like bungee cords, rope, or tiedown kits
  • Duct tape
  • Plywood, window film or other materials designed to protect window coverings
  • Non-electric food or water storage container
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Artificial and blue ice, ice packs, reusable ice
  • Self-contained first aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Smoke detector
  • Carbon monoxide detector
  • Gas or diesel fuel tank container

Local sales taxes may apply when purchasing these items, unless a specific municipality has waived their taxation as well. All waived taxes for counties and cities fall under the same rules as the statewide sales tax holiday guidelines. To see a full list of participating municipalities, visit revenue.alabama.gov.

For further information, please contact the Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR) at (334) 242-1490 or (866) 576-6531.

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