Alabama Offers No Sales Tax on Severe Weather Items This Weekend

PHENIX CITY, AL: Alabama and the Chattahoochee Valley is on the heels of its annual severe weather season. In springtime storms with stronger and severe strength will plague the area more frequently. The state of Alabama is allowing residents to get ready for that outbreak this upcoming weekend as it hosts its annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Weekend.

The tax holiday will start at 12:01 a.m. on February 24, 2017. During a period that runs through February 26th residents of Alabama can purchase a wide variety of products that will assist in being prepared for the upcoming severe weather season.

While it is a statewide tax holiday it is up to local governments if they wish to participate in the holiday. Locally most governments have signed on to participate in the tax holiday. According to information on the Alabama Department of Revenue's website the city of Phenix City approved participation in the tax holiday on October 21st of last year. Opelika, Smiths Station, and Auburn have also committed to their participation in the event.

Russell County and Lee County have both signed on as County governments to participate. Russell County has limited participation. The city of Hurtsboro in southwest Russell County has also decided not to participate in the the tax holiday.

The Department of Revenue has published a list of items that will be allowed to be purchased during the time free of sales tax those items include.

The following list contains examples of items covered under the Severe Weather Preparedness holiday. Items that
have a sales price of $60 or less per item:

• Batteries: AAA-cell batteries, AA-cell batteries, C-cell batteries, D-cell batteries, 6-volt batteries, 9-volt

batteries. (NOTE: coin batteries, automobile batteries, and boat batteries are not exempt.)

• Cellular phone battery

• Cellular phone charger

• Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio, two-way radio, weather-band radio or NOAA weather
radio

• Portable self-powered light source, including battery-powered flashlights, lanterns, or emergency glow
sticks

• Tarpaulin, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible, waterproof sheeting

• Ground anchor system, such as bungee cords or rope, or tie-down kits

• Duct tape

• Plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings

• Non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container

• Non-electric can opener

• Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs, reusable ice

• Self-contained first aid kit

• Fire extinguisher

• Smoke detector

• Carbon monoxide detector

• Gas or diesel fuel tank or container

Items that have a sales price of $1,000 or less:

• Portable generators and power cords

More information on the Tax Holiday is available at: http://revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/WPholiday