Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — With the growing use of AI, you may not need to buy the old-fashioned notebooks and pencils, but computers and technology items will be discounted this weekend. It doesn't seem possible, but the Alabama Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is back and can provide big savings.

The three-day event is designed to ease the financial burden of preparing for the new school year by waiving sales taxes on essential items. This initiative allows shoppers to save on everything from clothing to school supplies without paying the state's 4% sales tax, and potentially more if local jurisdictions opt in. For families in coastal communities like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, where back-to-school expenses can add up quickly alongside everyday costs, this holiday provides a practical way to stretch budgets further. 

The event is scheduled to run from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025, through midnight on Sunday, July 20, 2025. This timing aligns with the third full weekend in July, giving shoppers a full weekend to take advantage of the exemptions. With school starting in early August for many districts in the region the holiday comes at a crucial moment for parents stocking up on necessities.

Baldwin County, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Foley have confirmed their participation through resolutions and ordinances, meaning residents there can enjoy exemptions from both state and local sales taxes—potentially up to 10% in some spots. This full opt-in by the county and its municipalities ensures maximum savings for locals, unlike some areas where only state taxes are waived. The Alabama Department of Revenue oversees the program, requiring all retailers to comply by not charging tax on qualifying items during the period.

Among the most common items people snap up during this holiday are everyday school essentials that see high demand. For clothing, shoppers often grab jeans, shirts, shoes, and school uniforms, all tax-free as long as each piece costs $100 or less. School supplies like notebooks, pencils, binders, crayons, and calculators are popular picks, with a $50 per-item limit applying to noncommercial purchases. Backpacks and lunch boxes also make the list under school supplies. For tech-savvy families, laptops and tablets can be exempt if the total purchase is $750 or less, including software and printers—ideal for students needing devices for online learning. Books, such as required reading with ISBNs, qualify at $30 or less per volume. Art supplies like paints, brushes, and sketch pads are favorites for creative classes, falling under the $50 limit. However, items like jewelry, sunglasses, video games, or sports gear don't qualify, so buyers should double-check to avoid surprises at checkout.

For the full list of eligible items and rules, visit the Alabama Department of Revenue website.

HERE ARE SOME LOCAL SPECIALS:

The Orange Beach Store is hosting a "Back to School Carnival" on Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., explicitly tied to the tax-free weekend. Ads for the event highlight shopping for school essentials, beach gear, and Mako merchandise. Did you know that 100% of MAKO branded merchandise sales goes to Orange Beach City Schools? Families can expect free face painting, games, popcorn, and a mobile slushy truck, making it a community-focused draw rather than just a sale.

Gulf Shores hosts some big-box retailers that have national back-to-school campaigns aligning with the tax holiday. Target features extensive online and in-store ads for school supplies starting at 25 cents, including notebooks, pencils, and backpacks, with tax exemptions applied automatically during the weekend. Similarly, the Walmart Supercenter promotes its back-to-school section with low prices on items like Crayola crayons, mechanical pencils, and planners, noting the tax savings in weekly specials.

In Foley, Tanger Outlets stands out as a major tax holiday 'Must Visit' location. The outlet mall's website emphasizes tax-free shopping on back-to-school items, with an event page urging visitors to "shop Tanger Foley and pay no tax on most clothing and back-to-school-related merchandise." Among the roughly 100 stores there, several are likely to see heavy traffic for school-related buys, including Nike Factory Store for athletic wear and shoes, Old Navy Outlet for affordable kids' clothing, and Columbia Factory Store for backpacks and outerwear. Other outlets like H&M, Coach, Crocs, Kate Spade New York, Lids, Forever 21, Claire's, Fossil, and The Cosmetics Company Store also feature in the mall's directory.

Academy Sports + Outdoors, with a location in Foley, advertises deals on sports gear and uniforms that qualify under the holiday's clothing cap.