Sales tax holiday weekend starts Friday

Severe Weather Preparedness Weekend

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Weekend.

Alabama will hold its 11th annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax

Holiday beginning Friday, Feb. 25, at 12:01 a.m. and ending Sunday,

Feb. 27, at midnight, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain severe weather preparedness items free of state sales tax.

These items (costing $60 or less per item) are included: AAA-cell batteries, AA-cell batteries, C-cell batteries, D-cell batteries, 6-volt batteries, 9-volt batteries, cellular phone batteries, cellular phone chargers, portable, self-powered or battery-powered radios, two-way radios, weather band radios or NOAA weather radios, portable, self-powered light sources, including battery-powered flashlights, lanterns or emergency glow sticks, tarps, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths or other flexible waterproof sheeting, ground anchor systems, such as bungee cords, ropes or tie-down kits, duct tape, plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect window coverings, non-electric food storage coolers or water storage containers, non-electric can openers, artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs, reusable ice, self-contained first aid kits, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers.

Also exempt is any portable generator and power cords used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage. A single purchase with a sales price of $1,000 or less is exempt from sales tax.

Coin batteries and automobile or boat batteries are not exempt.

Locally, Randolph County and the municipalities of Roanoke and Wadley are participating.