Autauga Officials Remind Residents of Severe Weather Sales Tax Holiday Feb. 20-22

Autauga County officials reminded residents that Alabama’s Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday gave shoppers a three-day window to buy emergency supplies free of Alabama state sales or use tax, with most qualifying items priced $94 or less and single portable generators and power cords eligible at $1,564 or less. The reminder noted that Autauga County residents were included in the statewide exemption.

The tax holiday ran from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, through midnight Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, and was described by retail organizers as Alabama’s 15th such holiday. Alabamaretail summed up the consumer benefit as “allowing Alabama shoppers to stock up tax free on common supplies costing less than $94 that every home and business needs to prepare for a natural disaster or even a general emergency.”

The Alabama Department of Revenue’s published lists and local city pages show the kinds of items covered at the $94 threshold: AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt and 9-volt batteries; flashlights, lanterns and emergency glow sticks; NOAA weather radios and two-way radios; smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors; self-contained first aid kits; fire extinguishers; duct tape; tarps, plastic sheeting and drop cloths; rope, bungee cords and tie-down kits; non-electric can openers; coolers and non-electric food or water storage containers; ice packs and reusable ice; and plywood, window film or other materials specifically designed to protect windows. Revenue Alabama listed the generator rule explicitly as “Any portable generator and power cords - used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage,” eligible on a single purchase of $1,564 or less. The state list also shows some noneligible items in the extract provided, including coin batteries and automobile and boat batteries.

The holiday waived Alabama state sales tax; local sales tax treatment varied. Chelsea’s local page noted, “This holiday applies to state sales tax. Local sales tax may still apply. Chelsea is listed among local governments participating for 2026.” Atmoreadvance reiterated that “Local sales tax may still apply, according to the Alabama Emergency Management Agency.” Alabamaretail set out the procedural rule for municipalities: local governments wishing to add their local tax waiver may do so by adopting a resolution or ordinance 30 days prior to the sales tax holiday weekend.

Several municipalities publicly posted participation information ahead of the weekend. Orange Beach and Baldwin County were listed as participating on the city’s Feb. 16 notice and the Orange Beach contact is City of Orange Beach, 4099 Orange Beach Boulevard; phone 251-981-6979. Chelsea’s page listed the Department of Revenue Sales & Use Tax Division phone numbers, 334-242-1490 and 866-576-6531, and included the local contact name Brandy Pate. Autauga County was explicitly named in the statewide exemption language in the original reminder to residents.

For tax questions or to view the full official eligible and noneligible lists, the Alabama Department of Revenue’s Sales & Use Tax Division can be reached at 334-242-1490 or 866-576-6531, and its office is at 375 South Ripley Street, Montgomery, AL 36104. Alabamaretail also highlighted that “Generators costing $1,564 or less also can be purchased free of the state’s four-percent sales tax during the three-day tax holiday,” underscoring the immediate fiscal benefit residents received during the Feb. 20–22 window.