The Selma Times-Journal

Ready. Set. Shop!

Friday will mark the beginning of the first Sales Tax Holiday for Alabama.

The holiday officially begins at 12:01 a.m., Aug. 4 and ends at midnight Aug. 6.

On July 14, a representative from the Alabama Retail Association (ARA) came to Selma to explain to retailers and the inquiring public the specifics of the tax holiday as it related to “covered items” – tax exempt – and those not covered.

Not only is this a first for Alabama as a whole, but for Selma and Dallas County.

Not only will school items in Selma and Dallas County be exempt from state sales tax, but the city and county have waived their sales taxes as well.

In an earlier interview, Claire Twardy,

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, said, “I’m very pleased that the city and county took the step forward in participating in the tax holiday.”

According to Selma Mall General Manager, Carver Boynton, the mall merchants are ready for the holiday.

“Our merchants are ready for this holiday.

They have been preparing their staff with the necessary information,” said Boynton.

“We’re excited about the impact this will have on back to school shopping.”

Instead of shoppers going out of town to shop, shoppers are encouraged to “shop Selma.”

“I think this will increase sales and keep some shoppers that would go to other cities, and states in Selma.”

School items covered

during the holiday

Clothing priced at $100 or less per article of clothing

School supplies priced at $50 or less per item (non-commercial purchases)

Books valued at $30 or less per book (non-commercial purchases)

Computers and computer equipment priced at $750 or less (For purposes of the exemption, a computer may include a laptop, desktop, or tower computer system which consists of a central processing unit (CPU), and devices such as a display monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers sold as a computer package. Computer parts and devices not sold as part of a package with the CPU, will not qualify for the exemption.)

For a more detailed list, visit the Alabama Department of Revenue’s Web site at www.revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/salestaxhol.htm and click on “Sales Tax Holiday Quick Reference Sheet of Exempt Items.”

The itemized list will download in portable document (pdf) format.

According to Boynton, the mall merchants will be handing out the same list to customers and the list will be available at each register.

For more information

Contact the Alabama Department of Revenue at 334-242-1490 or 866-576-6531.

Special Telephone Hours for Sales Tax Holiday:

Friday, Aug. 4: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., CST

Saturday, Aug.

5: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., CST

Sunday, Aug.

6: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., CST