Alabama’s annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and runs through midnight Sunday, Feb. 22.
During the three-day holiday, shoppers can purchase qualifying emergency preparedness supplies without paying the state’s 4 percent sales tax.
Eligible items priced below $94 include:
- Batteries
- Flashlights
- Lanterns
- Weather radios
- Cell phone chargers
- Tarps
- Plastic sheeting
- Duct tape
- Plywood
- Bungee cords
- Tie-down kits
- Manual can openers
Portable generators and power cords priced below $1,564 are also exempt.
The price thresholds are higher than in previous years. Legislation approved in 2025 raised the limits from $60 for supplies and $1,000 for generators, and indexed them to the Consumer Price Index going forward.
Cities and counties that have opted in will also waive their local sales taxes on eligible items, meaning shoppers in participating areas could save as much as 10 percent. According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, Akron, Greensboro, Hale County, Perry County, and Selma have all notified the state that they are participating. As of the department’s most recent update, Marion, Pleasant Grove, and Uniontown had not filed participation information with the state.
A complete list of eligible items and participating localities is available at:
www.revenue.alabama.gov
