Tax-free weekend for severe weather items begins Friday

Feb. 17--Consumers in Alabama can save up to 10 percent on the purchase of most emergency preparedness items during the eighth annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday.

The tax-free weekend begins Friday and ends at midnight Feb. 24.

"Severe weather can occur at any time, in any season," said Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association. "The tax holiday helps Alabama consumers remember to stock and prepare emergency kits to be ready when storms strike."

A news release from the retail association encourages residents to restock emergency supplies in homes, workplaces and vehicles during the three-day tax holiday.

Some emergency preparedness items will be exempt from the state's 4 percent state sales tax, and in some cities and counties, local taxes are waived on those items as well. Northport, the city of Tuscaloosa, and Tuscaloosa County are participating in the tax-free weekend.

From 12:01 a.m. Friday to midnight Feb. 24, the tax-exempt items include the following priced at $60 or less:

? Flashlights, lanterns

? Battery-powered or hand-crank radios

? Batteries

? First-aid kits

? Cellphone chargers

? Two-way radios

? Manual can openers

? Tarps and plastic sheeting

? Duct tape

? Fire extinguishers

? Tie-down kits, bungee cords or rope

Other tax-free items include: Coolers, ice packs, plywood, window film and smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors. Portable generators and power cords costing $1,000 or less are also tax free.

Alabama is one of three states with a severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday in 2019. The other states that have similar holidays are Texas and Virginia.

The Alabama Retail Assocation recommends having enough supplies in emergency kits to last 72 hours after a disaster. For information on what items to include in emergency kits, as well as steps to take before and after disasters, visit www.ready.gov.

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