Alabama Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Returns This July
The annual tax-free weekend runs July 17–19 and covers clothing, computers, and school supplies
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — With the 2026-2027 School Year starting in just over a month, Alabama families can save money on back-to-school shopping this summer. The state of Alabama is holding its 21st annual back-to-school sales tax holiday. Qualifying purchases made during the holiday will be free of state sales tax. Shoppers should note, however, that local sales taxes may still apply depending on where they shop.
The tax-free weekend begins Friday, July 17, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. and runs through Sunday, July 19, 2026, at midnight. The holiday covers four main categories of items: clothing, computers and software, textbooks, and school supplies. Each category has its own price limits for qualifying for the tax exemption. Shoppers are encouraged to review the guidelines before heading to the store.
Clothing items priced at $156 or less per article are eligible for the exemption. The following clothing items qualify:
- Boots
- Coats
- Diapers
- Dresses
- Gloves
- Gym suits
- Hats
- Hosiery
- Jackets
- Jeans
- Neckties
- Pajamas
- Pants
- Raincoats
- Robes
- Sandals
- Scarves
- School uniforms
- Shirts
- Shoes
- Shorts
- Sneakers
- Socks
- Underwear
Not all clothing-related items qualify. The following items are not eligible under the clothing category:
- Jewelry
- Handbags
- Watches
- Sporting footwear
- Masks
- Protective gear and equipment
- Accessories
Computers and related technology are also covered during the holiday weekend. A single computer purchase of $1,173 or less qualifies for the exemption. The following computer-related items are eligible:
- Laptop, desktop, and tower computer systems (CPU with peripherals)
- Computer software
- Storage media
- Handheld electronic schedulers
- Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
- Printers
- Printer supplies
The following computer-related items do not qualify:
- Furniture
- Recreational gaming systems
- Non-educational video games
Textbooks are eligible if priced at $47 or less per book and have an ISBN. The following types of materials do not qualify under the textbook category:
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Periodicals
- Non-bound documents
School supplies, art supplies, and instructional materials priced at $78 or less per item are also covered. The following school supply items qualify:
- Binders
- Book bags
- Calculators
- Chalk
- Crayons
- Erasers
- Folders
- Glue
- Markers
- Notebooks
- Paper
- Pencils
- Pens
- Rulers
- Scissors
Instructional materials, including reference maps, globes, and required textbooks priced between $47.01 and $78.00, also qualify under this category.
For more information about qualifying items and price limits, the Alabama Department of Revenue's Sales and Use Tax Division can be reached at 334-242-1490 or toll-free at 866-576-6531. The department is located at 375 South Ripley Street in Montgomery. Additional details are available at revenue.alabama.gov.
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