Alabamians planning to buy batteries, plywood or tarpaulins to prepare for the state's next round of severe weather can do it tax free this weekend. Beware, however, some local governments are not participating. (Full list below...)
Alabama will observe its first tax-free weekend for weather preparedness items on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Legislature passed a law that waives the state's 4 percent sales tax on many emergency preparedness supplies that cost $60 or less.
That includes batteries, cellphone chargers, flashlights, portable radios, waterproof sheeting, generators, plywood, weather radios, duct tape, and non-electric food storage containers.
The law also waived the state sales tax on portable generators costing up to $1,000. More than 200 cities and counties are also waiving their local sales taxes.
Gov. Robert Bentley says being prepared helps speed the response to a natural disaster.
"This sales tax holiday will be good for the public and for retailers," Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown said. "The main objective is safety. By stocking up on supplies, families can be better prepared for future emergencies."
Beginning in 2013, the annual sales tax holiday will be held during the last full weekend of February. This will place the holiday in close proximity to the annual Severe Weather Awareness Week and will encourage people to stock up on needed supplies in advance of Alabama's primary severe weather season.
Items covered by the sales tax holiday include:
- Several types of batteries, including cell phone batteries and chargers
- Battery-powered radios
- NOAA weather radios
- Flashlights, lanterns, and emergency glow sticks
- First aid kits
- Duct tape
- Plywood, window film or other materials, specifically designed to protect window openings
- Portable generators
- Gas or Diesel fuel containers
- Tarpaulins and plastic sheeting
- Any non-electric food storage cooler or water storage container
- Non-electric can openers
- Any artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs, or reusable ice
- Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide detectors
- Ground anchor systems such as cords or rope or tie-down kits
Cities/Counties NOT participating in sales tax holiday include:
- Auburn
- Brantley
- Brewton
- Chilton County
- Crenshaw County
- Dadeville
- Dale County
- Daleville
- Enterprise
- Escambia County
- Greenville
- Jefferson County
- Ozark
- Russell County – limited
- Shorter
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. WSFA 12 News contributed to this report. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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