Alabamians will have to schedule their back-to-school shopping a bit early this year if they want to buy tax free. The sales tax holiday has been moved up a few weeks to this weekend – starting today.
Officials made the move because the Tax Free Weekend started to fall after school has started for some systems. The Tax Free Weekend gives relief to consumers, but it has also boosted the economy during the 12 years Alabama has participated.
Melissa Warnke is the Communications Manager for the Alabama Retail Association. She says money that would be spent on taxes may be spent in other ways.
“In the 12 year history of this, 10 of the 12 years we have actually collected more revenues during the sales tax holiday than we did prior. Even though the sales tax is not being collected, people are spending more than they would have otherwise.”
By moving the tax holiday up it will allow everyone a chance to do their back to school shopping and save money no matter the school their child is attending. This year the weekend starts today and will run through Sunday night.