Alabama runs two tax-free weekends a year — severe weather supplies in February and back-to-school in July — and 2026 is the first year the price limits jumped, with clothing now covered up to $156 an item instead of $100.
February 20–22, 2026
Friday, February 20 through Sunday, February 22
2027 dates aren't posted yet — by law the weekend always starts the Friday of the last full weekend in February, and Revenue puts out the fact sheet a few months ahead.
Do online orders count?
Yes, but Alabama is fussier than most states: an online order only qualifies if you pay for it and take delivery during the weekend. Pay Sunday night for something that ships Tuesday and the tax stays on.
| Item | Price cap | Tax status |
|---|---|---|
| Portable generators & power cords has to be for light, communications, or keeping food cold in an outage | $1,564 | Exempt |
| Batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt, 9-volt) sold by the package | $94 | Exempt |
| Coin, car & boat batteries | — | Not exempt |
| Flashlights, lanterns & glow sticks battery-powered or hand-crank | $94 | Exempt |
| Weather radios & two-way radios | $94 | Exempt |
| Cell phone batteries & chargers | $94 | Exempt |
| Tarps, plastic sheeting, duct tape & tie-down kits | $94 | Exempt |
| Coolers, water containers & fuel cans the cooler has to be the non-electric kind | $94 | Exempt |
| Smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors & fire extinguishers | $94 | Exempt |
| First aid kits self-contained kits only | $94 | Exempt |
Source: Alabama Department of Revenue, 2026 Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday — the place to check any edge case.
July 17–19, 2026
Friday, July 17 through Sunday, July 19
2027 dates aren't posted yet — by law the holiday always runs the third full weekend of July, Friday through Sunday, and Revenue confirms it each spring.
Do online orders count?
Yes, with the same catch as February: Alabama wants the item paid for and delivered during the weekend. Something you order Sunday and receive Wednesday doesn't qualify, but a pre-order that lands on your porch during the holiday does.
| Item | Price cap | Tax status |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing & shoes everyday apparel — the limit rose from $100 for 2026 | $156 | Exempt |
| School supplies (pencils, notebooks, binders, calculators, lunch boxes) only items on Alabama's list count | $78 | Exempt |
| Book bags Alabama counts a book bag as a school supply, so it's the $78 limit, not the clothing one | $78 | Exempt |
| School art supplies (paints, brushes, clay, sketch pads) | $78 | Exempt |
| Computers, software & printers the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers have to be sold in the package with the computer — bought separately they're taxed | $1,173 | Exempt |
| Books with an ISBN magazines, newspapers, and anything unbound are left out | $47 | Exempt |
| Jewelry, handbags, wallets, watches & sunglasses | — | Not exempt |
| Cleats, ballet shoes, helmets & shin guards gear made for a sport rather than everyday wear | — | Not exempt |
| Cell phones & video games | — | Not exempt |
Source: Alabama Department of Revenue, 2026 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday — the place to check any edge case.
Only where your city or county opted in. State sales tax comes off statewide, but local tax is a separate vote — each county or city has to pass an ordinance at least 90 days ahead. Revenue posts the participating list before each holiday, so it's worth a look if you're near a county line.
Yes. A 2025 law had Revenue adjust the limits for inflation for the first time since 2006. Clothing went from $100 to $156, school supplies from $50 to $78, computers from $750 to $1,173, books from $30 to $47, and weather supplies from $60 to $94.
It can, but Alabama is stricter than most states. The rule is that you pay for the item and take delivery during the holiday — not just place the order. If the box arrives the following week, tax applies. Same-weekend delivery or an in-store pickup is the safer bet.
Yes, up to $1,173 for the package — the computer plus monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers sold together. Buy a monitor or keyboard on its own and it's taxed, and cell phones and game systems never qualify.
No total limit and no paperwork. The limit is per item, so a cart full of $150 jackets all qualify. Just don't count on splitting things — a $312 pair of shoes can't be rung up as two $156 shoes.
Checked against Alabama Department of Revenue, 2026 Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday on 2026-08-14. See the national calendar for every state's holidays.