Governor Bentley Encourages Alabamians to Participate in Sales Tax Holiday for Severe Weather Items

MONTGOMERY – Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday encouraged Alabamians to take advantage of Alabama’s third sales tax holiday and get prepared for the next severe weather situation.

“Being prepared and having the proper emergency supplies are essential,” Governor Bentley said. “If people have the emergency supplies they need, it will go a long way toward helping them survive any storm, regardless of the season.”

Alabama’s sales tax holiday will begin Friday, February 21, 2014, at 12:01 a.m. and end Sunday, February 23, 2014, at midnight.  Alabamians will have an opportunity to purchase certain severe weather preparedness items free of state sales tax. More than 220 local governments across the state will participate in the annual sales tax holiday.

“I am especially proud that more and more of our local government partners are joining the state in participating in this year’s sales tax holiday.  Last year, less than 200 participated.  This year, our most recent information indicates that 227 local governments are participating, the most ever in the holiday’s three-year history.  This equates to real savings for our citizens —sometimes tax savings totaling as much as 10 percent on emergency preparedness items that will help keep Alabama families safe and protected during severe weather conditions,” State Revenue Commissioner Julie P. Magee said.

The sales tax holiday for preparedness items was a key recommendation of Governor Bentley’s Tornado Recovery Action Council.  The council was appointed by the Governor following the April 27, 2011, tornado outbreak.

Click here to view the list of sales tax free items.