State sales tax holiday helps shoppers

The sales tax holiday gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, and clothing free of state sales or use tax.

Parents and grandparents wanting to save money on school clothing and supplies for their school-aged children will be able to take advantage of Alabama’s sixth annual sales tax holiday on Friday, August 5 and ending Sunday Aug. 7.

The sales tax holiday gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, and clothing free of state sales or use tax.

Tony Smith, Manager of Radio Shack, located at 8640 North Madison Blvd. expects to see great sales gains as a result of the state’s holiday tax. “We anticipate a larger amount of customers this weekend and are providing great offerings for them this weekend,” Smith said. In addition to computers and computer software and supplies, the store also features school supplies.

Old Navy, located at Bridge Street Town Centre is also expecting a higher amount of customers thanks to the tax savings. “We are prepared for a larger crowd this weekend and are having back-to-school sales going on,” Manager Carrie Landers said. Manager Ken Moore of Staples, located at 1201 North Memorial Parkway, Huntsville noted that extra employees will be on hand to assist shoppers during the busy weekend.

For the three days of the tax-free weekend, Alabama’s 4 percent sales tax is waived on:

• Clothing priced at $100 or less.

• School supplies valued at $50 or less.

• Books that cost $30 or less; textbooks valued at $50 or less.

• Computers with a selling price of $750 or less, and certain computer equipment and software.