Alabama Tax-Free Weekend runs July 18–20, 2025

Alabama's tax-free weekend in 2025 takes place July 18 through July 20. During these three days, you pay no state or local sales tax on may have access to school supplies and clothing purchases. This is the only statewide tax-free period Alabama offers each year.

The weekend is timed to help families prepare for the school year without the added cost of sales tax. You can shop in stores or online, though online purchases must ship to an Alabama address during the tax-free period to may have access to.

Key Takeaways

  • Tax-free weekend is July 18–20, 2025, and applies to school supplies under $100 and clothing items under $100 per piece.
  • may have access to items include notebooks, pens, backpacks, shoes, and pants, but not electronics, sports equipment, or items for adult use.
  • You do not need a coupon, special card, or advance registration—just bring your items to checkout during the three-day window.
  • Online purchases count if they ship to your Alabama address between July 18 and July 20, though some retailers may process orders differently.
  • Items over the $100 limit per piece are taxed normally, and tax applies to the full price of mixed purchases if the total exceeds the threshold.

What items are tax-free during the weekend

School supplies under $100 per item are tax-free. This includes notebooks, folders, pens, pencils, erasers, rulers, calculators, backpacks, lunch boxes, and similar items used for school. The $100 limit applies to each individual item, so a $120 backpack would be taxed on the full price, but a $80 backpack would be completely tax-free.

Clothing items under $100 per piece are also tax-free. This covers shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, socks, underwear, belts, hats, and shoes. The clothing must be intended for everyday wear—costumes, athletic uniforms, and specialized work clothing do not may have access to. Again, the $100 limit is per item, so a $95 pair of shoes is tax-free, but a $105 pair is taxed on the full amount.

Items that do not may have access to include computers and tablets, sports equipment, jewelry, watches, bags used for sports (like gym bags), and items for adult professional use. Furniture, school desks, and art supplies beyond basic writing tools also fall outside the tax-free window.

How to shop during tax-free weekend

You do not need a coupon, membership card, or special registration to receive the tax-free discount. straightforward bring your may have access to items to any Alabama retailer during July 18–20 and pay at checkout. The cashier will ring up the items without explore state or local sales tax automatically.

If you are shopping online, the order must ship to an Alabama address between July 18 and July 20 to may have access to. Some large retailers process orders in batches, so placing an order on July 18 does not may provide it will ship during the tax-free window. Check the retailer's shipping policy or contact customer service if you are unsure whether your order will arrive in time.

Keep your receipt. If you notice tax was charged on a may have access to item, you can contact the store to request a refund of the tax amount. Most retailers train staff on tax-free weekend rules, but mistakes happen—having documentation makes the refund process faster.

Mixed purchases and the $100 per-item rule

The $100 limit applies to each individual item, not to your total purchase. If you buy five $50 notebooks, all five are tax-free because each one is under $100. If you buy one $150 backpack and one $50 notebook, the backpack is taxed on its full $150 price, but the notebook remains tax-free.

When you mix tax-free and taxable items in one transaction, the cashier should ring them separately or note which items may have access to. If you buy a backpack, a shirt, and a computer tablet, only the backpack and shirt avoid tax. The tablet is taxed normally. Some stores use a checklist or system to track this; others rely on the cashier's knowledge of the rules.

If you are unsure whether a specific item qualifies, ask the cashier before checkout. Retailers are required to know the rules, and most are happy to clarify. If you discover after purchase that you were charged tax on a may have access to item, keep your receipt and return to the store within a reasonable time to request a refund.

Online shopping during tax-free weekend

Online purchases count toward tax-free weekend as long as the order ships to an Alabama address between July 18 and July 20. The order date does not matter—only the ship date. If you place an order on July 17 but it ships on July 19, it qualifies. If you place an order on July 18 but it does not ship until July 21, it does not.

Large retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target often process orders in batches, meaning you cannot always control the exact ship date. Before ordering, check whether the retailer offers expedited shipping or guarantees a ship date within the tax-free window. Some retailers display a note during tax-free weekend indicating which items will ship in time to may have access to.

If an online order ships after July 20, you will be charged sales tax. Contact the retailer's customer service to ask whether they can refund the tax if the delay was their error. Some will; others will not. Reading the retailer's tax-free weekend policy before you check out can save frustration.

What to bring and what to expect at checkout

You do not need to bring anything special to the store. No coupon, tax ID, proof of school enrollment, or identification is required. straightforward bring your items and your payment method. The tax-free discount applies to everyone—not just students or parents.

Stores may be busier than usual during tax-free weekend, especially on Friday and Saturday. If you prefer a shorter wait, consider shopping early in the morning or on Sunday, July 20. Some retailers open earlier or stay open later during the weekend to accommodate the extra traffic.

If you are returning items purchased during tax-free weekend, check the store's return policy. Most stores will refund the pre-tax price if you return within their standard window. If you return an item after tax-free weekend ends, you may not be able to claim the tax savings retroactively.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a student or parent to shop during tax-free weekend?

No. Anyone can purchase tax-free items during the weekend. You do not need to prove you are buying for a student or that you attend school. The tax break applies to all shoppers equally.

What if I buy an item on July 17 and return it on July 19?

The return date does not matter. If the original purchase was before July 18, you were charged tax, and the store will refund the pre-tax price. If you want the tax-free benefit, you would need to repurchase the item during the tax-free window.

Can I use a coupon or discount code along with tax-free weekend?

Yes. Tax-free weekend and store coupons or sales stack together. If a shirt is on sale for 20 percent off and qualifies for tax-free weekend, you get both the discount and the tax savings. The tax is calculated on the final discounted price.

Are there any items that look like school supplies but do not may have access to?

Yes. Art supplies beyond basic writing tools—like paint sets, canvas, and specialty markers—usually do not may have access to. Sports equipment, even if used at school, does not may have access to. Calculators may have access to, but computers and tablets do not. When in doubt, ask the cashier before you buy.

What happens if a store charges me tax on a may have access to item?

Keep your receipt and return to the store to request a refund of the tax amount. Most stores will process this without issue. If the store refuses, you can contact the Alabama Department of Revenue, though this is rarely necessary—retailers are trained on the rules and refund mistakes promptly.