8 ON YOUR SIDE: State announces sales tax holiday weekend on back-to-school items

8 ON YOUR SIDE (WAKA) – The State of Alabama has announced a sales tax holiday weekend to allow parents to buy eligible back-to-school items without paying state sales tax.

This year’s 21st annual sales tax holiday will be Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 19.

During that period, shoppers won’t have to pay the state’s 4% sales tax on eligible items. In addition, more than 300 cities and counties will waive their local sales taxes.

This year’s holiday includes expanded exemption limits, allowing shoppers to save more than ever before.

For example, $156 or less per item of clothing or footwear is now eligible. The previous limit was $100 per item.

$78 or less per item for certain school supplies will be exempt. The limit had been $50.

The limit for a single purchase of computers/equipment is now $1,173. Previously, it was $750.

And $47 or less on any book and $78 or less on textbooks will now be eligible, which is up from $30.

SEE FULL LIST OF ELIGIBLE BACK-TO-SCHOOL ITEMS

SEE LIST OF CITIES AND COUNTIES THAT ARE DROPPING THEIR LOCAL TAXES ON ELIGIBLE ITEMS