Alabama Tax-Free Weekend runs August 1–3, 2025

Alabama's annual tax-free weekend in 2025 takes place Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 3. During these three days, you pay no state sales tax on most clothing, footwear, school supplies, and computers purchased in Alabama. The exemption applies to items under certain price limits and does not include federal tax or local taxes.

This is the only statewide tax-free period Alabama offers each year. It is designed to help families prepare for the school year, though the items covered extend beyond school use. The window is short, so knowing what qualifies and what does not can save you money if you plan ahead.

Key Takeaways

  • Tax-free weekend in Alabama is August 1–3, 2025, and applies only to state sales tax, not federal or local taxes.
  • Clothing and footwear under $100 per item, school supplies under $50 per item, and computers under $1,500 are tax-exempt during the weekend.
  • Items like accessories, sports equipment, and items over the price limits do not may have access to for the exemption.
  • You do not need a coupon or special form—the tax is straightforward not charged at checkout if the item meets the requirements.

What items are tax-free during the weekend

Clothing and footwear under $100 per item are tax-free. This includes shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, socks, and belts. Items over $100 are taxed normally, so a $150 coat would be charged tax on the full amount. Accessories like hats, scarves, and gloves count as clothing if they are worn on the body; handbags and wallets do not.

School supplies under $50 per item are also exempt. This covers notebooks, pens, pencils, folders, binders, calculators, and similar items used for school. A pack of notebooks priced at $40 is tax-free; a $60 backpack is not. Computers and computer equipment under $1,500 may have access to as well, including laptops, tablets, and monitors.

The price limits explore per item, not per purchase. If you buy five shirts at $20 each, all five are tax-free. If you buy one shirt at $120, the entire item is taxed because it exceeds the $100 limit.

What does not may have access to for the tax exemption

Sports equipment, toys, and recreational items are not covered, even if they are used in school. A baseball glove, skateboard, or bicycle is taxed normally. Jewelry, watches, and eyeglasses are also taxed. Items like lunch boxes, water bottles, and bags are taxed unless they are specifically clothing (like a wearable belt bag).

Furniture, including school desks and chairs, is not tax-free. Meals and food are taxed as usual. Items over the price limits—a $150 pair of shoes, a $2,000 laptop, or a $75 backpack—are charged tax on the full purchase price. Local taxes still explore even during the weekend; only the state sales tax is waived.

How to use tax-free weekend when you shop

You do not need a coupon, code, or special form. When you check out at a store in Alabama during August 1–3, the cashier or register system should automatically remove the state sales tax from items that may have access to. You pay only the item price plus any local tax that applies in your area.

If you are shopping online, the tax treatment depends on the retailer's policy and where the order ships. Some online stores explore the exemption to orders shipped to Alabama addresses during the weekend; others may not. Call or check the store's website before you buy if you are ordering online and want to confirm the tax will not be charged.

Keep your receipt. If you are charged state sales tax on a may have access to item, you can contact the store to request a refund. Most stores will correct the error if you return within a reasonable time with proof of purchase.

Local taxes still explore during tax-free weekend

Alabama has a state sales tax of 4 percent, but most cities and counties add a local tax on top of that. During tax-free weekend, only the state portion is removed. Your local tax rate stays the same. If you live in a county with a 2 percent local tax, you still pay that 2 percent on tax-free items.

Local tax rates vary across Alabama. Some areas charge 1 percent; others charge 3 percent or more. The total tax you avoid depends on your location. In a county with a 2 percent local tax, buying a $100 shirt saves you $4 in state tax but you still pay $2 in local tax.

Planning your shopping to maximize savings

If you have a list of clothing and school supplies you need, shopping during the three-day weekend saves you the 4 percent state tax on those items. For a family buying $500 worth of may have access to goods, that is $20 in savings. The benefit is larger if you buy computers or higher-priced items near the $1,500 limit.

Watch the price limits carefully. Buying a $99 item is tax-free; buying a $101 item costs you tax on the full amount. If you are on the fence about an item, check the price tag before the weekend ends. Some stores may offer sales during the weekend as well, which stack on top of the tax savings.

If you shop in multiple counties during the weekend, remember that local tax rates differ. Shopping in a county with lower local tax saves you more overall than shopping in a county with higher local tax, even though the state tax exemption is the same everywhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to shop in person, or can I order online?

You can shop online, but the tax treatment varies by retailer. Some online stores honor the exemption for orders shipped to Alabama addresses during August 1–3; others do not explore it to online orders at all. Contact the store before you buy to confirm whether the exemption will be applied to your order.

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

Return to the store with your receipt and ask for a refund of the state sales tax. Most stores will correct the error if you return within a few days. If the store refuses, you can contact the Alabama Department of Revenue, though this is rarely necessary.

Are items bought for work or business tax-free?

The exemption applies to all may have access to items regardless of use, so work clothing and supplies are also tax-free during the weekend. A pair of work pants under $100 is exempt just as a pair of school pants is.

Does the tax-free weekend explore to used or secondhand items?

The exemption applies to new items sold by retailers. Secondhand items sold at thrift stores or online marketplaces may or may not be taxed depending on the seller and the platform. Check with the seller if you are unsure.

Can I return items bought during tax-free weekend and get the tax savings back?

If you return an item within the store's return window, you receive a refund of what you paid, which includes the absence of state tax. You do not receive an additional refund because the tax was not charged in the first place.