MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Shoppers across Alabama will be able to stock up on emergency supplies without paying state sales tax during a three-day Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday scheduled for Friday through Sunday, Feb. 20–22.
The state’s 15th annual holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 20, and runs through 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 22. During that time, qualifying items can be purchased free of Alabama’s four percent state sales tax. Many cities and counties also participate by waiving local sales taxes, increasing total savings for consumers.
The annual tax holiday is designed to encourage Alabama families to take proactive steps to protect their homes and prepare for the state’s frequent severe weather threats.
This year’s event will include expanded exemption limits after lawmakers approved legislation during the 2025 session to modernize Alabama’s sales tax holidays. The measure increased dollar thresholds and indexed them to the Consumer Price Index, resulting in higher exemption caps for 2026 purchases.
Under the updated standards, shoppers can buy common preparedness supplies costing less than $94 without paying the state sales tax. Generators priced at $1,564 or less are also exempt from the state’s four percent sales tax during the holiday, along with any additional exemptions offered by local jurisdictions.
Retailers across the state are encouraging residents to plan ahead and review eligible supply lists before the weekend begins.
The Alabama Retail Association created the graphic below to depict eligible items:
