It's not Just Mardi Gras Time, it's Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Time!

Posted on: Feb 15th, 2023 | News and Announcements Press Releases featured news

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. – Mobile County is participating in Alabama’s Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday weekend, offered annually the last full weekend in February to help people prepare in advance for severe weather events and other emergencies.

Alabama's Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday 2023 starts at 12:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, and lasts through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, making the weekend after Mardi Gras the best time all year to buy a generator with power cords or the supplies Ready.gov recommends for a household emergency kit.

Ten of Mobile County’s municipalities are listed participants or have confirmed participation: Bayou La Batre, Chickasaw, Citronelle, Creola, Dauphin Island, Mobile, Mount Vernon, Prichard, Saraland, and Semmes.

“The Mobile County Commission strongly encourages local residents to consider their emergency preparedness needs and take advantage of the opportunity to make eligible purchases when these supplies are exempt from state, county and municipal taxes,” said Mobile County Commission President Connie Hudson.

CLICK HERE for Alabama Department of Revenue's Quick Reference Sheet of exempt items that are classified as either single purchase or single item:

Single purchase:

Portable generators and power cords that can provide lights, communications, or preserve food during a power outage are exempt from taxes during the holiday, as long as the single purchase is $1,000 or less.

Single Item:

Alabama Department of Revenue allows the following items to be exempt from sales tax as long as no single item is more than $60:

Batteries, including AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt, and 9-volt
Cell phone batteries and chargers
Portable self-powered or battery-powered radio, two-way radio, weather band radio or NOAA weather radio
Portable self-powered light source, including battery-powered flashlights, lanterns, and emergency glow sticks
Tarpaulins
Plastic sheeting or drop cloths, along with other flexible, waterproof sheeting
Ground anchor systems like bungee cords, rope, and tie-down kits
Duct tape
Plywood, window film, or materials designed to protect windows
Non-electric food or water storage containers
Non-electric can opener
Artificial, blue, and reusable ice, as well as ice packs
Self-contained first aid kits
Fire extinguishers
Smoke detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors
Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers