Reviewed by: Ella Walton
Here’s what you need to know about tax-free shopping in Alabama, July 17-19
Reading time: 5 minutes
With the 21st annual tax-free weekend coming up, July 17-19, we wanted to fill you in on items that are included and items that are not, the best places to shop and more.
Whether dorm shopping or upgrading your wardrobe, tax-free weekend is the perfect opportunity to seize good deals. In the middle of summer, it is a prime time to get your back to school gear, technology essentials, work clothes, dorm needs and fitness wear to prepare for the fall season.
From Friday, July 17 to Sunday, July 19, Alabama shoppers in participating areas across the state will be able to purchase certain school supplies, clothes and more free of sales tax.
Some tips for tax-free weekend:
- Know what qualifies
- Make a wishlist ahead of time
- What do you need? What do you want? What would be a good deal if on sale?
- Stack up your discounts
- Shop online to save some time
- Shop department stores like Target and Marshalls for items you need
- Shop Best Buy, Costco and Sam’s Club for the best technology items
Keep reading to see some of the participating counties in Alabama for tax-free weekend.
Here’s what you can buy on tax-free weekend
Nearing the tax-free weekend, it is important to know what qualifies. Making a list beforehand of what you need may end up saving money and time this weekend.
- Any individual item of clothing costing $156 or less
- School supplies, school art supplies and school instructional material costing $78 or less per item
- Computers, computer software and school computer supplies that are $1,173 or less (each individual item)
- Textbooks priced at $47 or less per book
View the full list here.
Not included in tax-free weekend
Although many know what tax-free weekend is, they do not realize the amount of exceptions. Here are some exceptions, so you are not blindsided at the register.
- Clothing accessories, protective equipment and sports or recreational equipment
- Cosmetics
- Handbags
- Sunglasses + eyeglasses
- Wallets
- Watches
- Safety glasses + goggles
- Helmets
- Band instruments
- Gloves
- Computers, computer software + school computer supplies items (above the price threshold)
- Furniture
- Video games
- Cell phones
Check out this page for more info.
Best places to shop
Choosing the best location to shop for your tax-free weekend can be difficult, so we gave you a couple suggestions to help you out. Department stores and shopping malls can help you get the optimal arrangement of items in a limited place.
Here are some of the best shopping malls in the area!
Eastern Shore Centre in Spanish Fort
The Eastern Shore Centre, a large shopping mall conveniently located at the intersection of Interstate 10 and Malbis Parkway in Spanish Fort, is full of popular stores and restaurants to fulfill your tax-free wishlist.
Where to shop:
- Belk
- Dillard’s
- LOFT
- Chico’s
- The Pink Velvet Boutique
- Shoe Station
- Mountain High Outfitters
- Bath & Body Works
- Barnes & Noble
- Visit: 30500 Hwy 181 Spanish Fort, Alabama 36527
- Call: (205) 453-8620
- Website
Tanger Outlets in Foley
An outlet mall that also participates in tax-free weekend makes for the perfect stop, located 40 miles southeast of Mobile. Tanger Outlets sells over 120 brands and designer outlets which includes clothing, beauty, shoe and home goods along with open walking areas and courtyards for kids to play around in.
Where to shop:
- J. Crew Factory
- H&M
- Levi’s Outlet Store
- Tommy Bahama
- Michael Kors
- American Eagle Outfitters
- Old Navy
- Vera Bradley
- Nike Factory
- Adidas
- Coach
- Kate Spade
- Polo Ralph Lauren
- Aerie
- Columbia
- Under Armour
- TJ Maxx
- Visit: 2601 S McKenzie St, Foley, AL 36535
- Call: (251) 943-9303
- Website
Shoppes at Bel Air in Mobile
The Shoppes at Bel Air is a super-regional shopping mall located in Mobile, Alabama, with approximately 1.3 million square feet of retail space, making it a great spot for tax-free weekend. A little history fact, Shoppes at Bel Air is one of the oldest operating malls in Alabama.
Where to shop:
- Dillard’s
- Belk
- Target
- Journey’s
- Finish Line
- Buckle
- Claire’s
- Bath & Body Works
- H&M
- American Eagle Outfitters
- Visit: 3299 Joe Treadwell Dr, Mobile, AL 36606
- Call: (251) 478-1893
- Website
Support local businesses in the Mobile Bay area
Tax-free weekend is the perfect time to refresh your clothing or catch up on school supply shopping, but let’s not forget about our local businesses. Shopping small during tax-free weekend helps support the businesses that help the Mobile Bay area thrive.
Check out a few locally owned boutiques you can support here to grab your perfect back-to-school outfit!
Some centers with small businesses also include Legacy Village at Springhill and The Wharf at Orange Beach.
Where are you shopping this tax-free weekend? Let us know by tagging us @mobilebaynow on Instagram and Facebook!
