Alabama: Does the state have a sales-tax-free weekend?
Alabama holds two yearly sales tax holidays: a back-to-school weekend in July and a severe weather preparedness weekend in February.
The back-to-school holiday starts the third Friday in July and runs through Sunday. In 2026 it was July 17 to 19 and covered clothing up to $156 per item, computers up to $1,173, school supplies up to $78 and books up to $47. The severe weather holiday covers items like batteries, flashlights and generators on the last full weekend in February; the 2027 one is set for February 26 to 28. A 2025 law ties the price caps to inflation, and local sales taxes stop only in counties and cities that choose to join.
Conditions
- Back-to-school: third Friday in July through Sunday
- Severe weather: last full weekend in February
- Per-item price caps, adjusted for inflation every five years
- Local taxes exempt only where the county or city opts in
What the law says
Alabama will hold its 21st annual back-to-school sales tax holiday, beginning Friday, July 17 at 12:01 a.m. and ending Sunday, July 19 at midnight. This event gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, and clothing free of state sales tax. Local sales tax may still apply.
Sources
- Alabama DOR: 2026 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday fact sheet Official · revenue.alabama.gov
- Alabama DOR: Sales Tax Holidays Official · revenue.alabama.gov
- Code of Ala. 40-23-210 to 40-23-233, as amended by Act 2025-309 Official · revenue.alabama.gov
- Alabama DOR: 2027 Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday fact sheet Official · revenue.alabama.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Alabama Department of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax Division
- Phone
- 334-242-1490
- Website
- revenue.alabama.gov
How bordering states compare
- Florida Has a tax-free periodFlorida has a permanent yearly back-to-school sales tax holiday, now running July 20 through August 20.
- Georgia No tax-free periodGeorgia has no sales tax holiday now; its last back-to-school and energy-efficient holidays were in 2016.
- Mississippi Has a tax-free periodYes. Mississippi holds a July back-to-school holiday and a late-August holiday for firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies.
- Tennessee Has a tax-free periodTennessee holds a yearly sales tax holiday on the last weekend of July for clothing, school supplies, and computers.