CULLMAN, Ala. – Alabama will hold its annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday from Friday, Feb. 20, through Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase qualifying emergency preparedness supplies without paying the state’s 4% sales tax. Most cities and counties across Alabama also opt in to remove local sales taxes, further increasing savings for consumers. All municipalities in Cullman County that levy sales tax have opted in.
The tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday and runs through midnight Sunday.
During that time, qualifying items may be purchased free of state and local sales tax, allowing families to prepare for severe weather while reducing out-of-pocket costs.
According to the Alabama Department of Revenue, the annual sales tax holiday is intended to help residents stock up on emergency supplies ahead of severe weather events by temporarily removing state and local sales tax on eligible items.
Eligible items, $94 or less per item
Qualifying items exempt from state and local sales tax include:
- AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries
- Cellular phone batteries and chargers
- Portable self-powered or battery-powered radios, including two-way radios, weatherband radios and NOAA weather radios
- Portable self-powered light sources, including battery-powered flashlights, lanterns and emergency glow sticks
- Tarpaulins
- Plastic sheeting and plastic drop cloths
- Other flexible, waterproof sheeting
- Ground anchor systems, such as bungee cords, rope or tie-down kits
- Duct tape
- Plywood, window film or other materials designed to protect window coverings
- Nonelectric food storage coolers or water storage containers
- Nonelectric can openers
- Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice
- Self-contained first aid kits
- Fire extinguishers
- Smoke detectors
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers
Noneligible items
Items not included in the sales tax exemption include:
- Coin batteries
- Automobile and boat batteries
Generators
A single purchase of a portable generator and related power cords priced at $1,564 or less qualifies for the state and local sales tax exemption when used to provide light or communications or to preserve food during a power outage.
In prior years, exemption limits were capped at $60 for supplies and $1,000 for generators.
“By updating these exemption limits to better reflect today’s costs, lawmakers ensured that this sales tax holiday continues to provide meaningful savings for Alabama families,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown. “These changes help consumers purchase the items they need while also supporting Alabama retailers in their local communities. A true win-win.”
To learn more, visit www.alabamaretail.org/resources/salestaxholidays/severe-weather-preparedness.
