Governor Bentley Promotes Annual Sales Tax Holiday for Back-to-School Items
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: August 2, 2012
Governor Robert Bentley on Thursday encouraged Alabamians to remember this weekend's state sales tax holiday
for back-to-school items and stock up on needed supplies.
"The
cost of school supplies can quickly add up, and this sales tax holiday
is about saving families money," Governor Bentley said. "This is also
a way of encouraging shoppers to support our businesses, large and
small. This is the seventh year for the sales tax holiday, and it
covers a wide range of items from school supplies to clothing and
computers. I encourage people to take advantage of this
opportunity to save some money while also preparing for the start of the
new school year."
The
seventh annual sales tax holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday,
August 3. The holiday will continue through Sunday, August 5. A
comprehensive
list is attached detailing the items covered by the holiday.
Alabama's
sales tax holiday provision also allows cities and counties to join the
state by removing their own local sales
and use taxes from back-to-school-related items during the same
weekend. More than 250 local governments across the state are
participating. A list of participating municipalities can be found on
the Alabama Department of Revenue's website - www.revenue.alabama.gov.
"The
Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday helps both families and our business
community alike," Alabama Revenue Commissioner Julie P. Magee said.
"The
holiday brings more people out shopping to take advantage of tax-free
items and sales offered by retailers. It has become a much-anticipated
event. We encourage everyone to take advantage of the holiday and
support our local business communities."
Alabama
Retail Association President Rick Brown added that stores across the
state see an influx of shoppers during the sales tax-free weekend.
Store
owners see the weekend as a major boost for their businesses.
"Consumers
continue to need savings and an incentive to spend. Alabama's sales
tax holiday gives them both. This weekend truly is a win-win for
everyone involved," Brown said.
