Back-to-school tax free weekend July 17-19

The end of the summer break is inching closer, much to the chagrin of many school-aged children across Colbert County.

Only three weeks remain before schools around the county reopen for another year, which means now is the time to shop for all of those necessary back-to-school items.

Alabama will hold its 21st annual back-to-school sales tax holiday, beginning Friday, July 17 at 12:01 a.m. and ending Sunday, July 19 at midnight.

This event gives shoppers the opportunity to purchase certain school supplies, computers, and clothing free of state sales tax, though local sales tax may still apply.

During this period, items like clothing, computers, books and all manner of school supplies are exempt from state sales tax.

Qualifying clothing items include belts, boots, caps, coats, dresses, gloves, gym suits, hats, jackets, jeans, pajamas, pants, raincoats, robes, sandals, scarves, school uniforms, shirts, shoes, shorts, socks, sneakers and underwear.

Items must be individually priced at $156 or less.

Computers and related items must be $1,173 or less per item.

Tax exempt school supplies include binders, chalk, crayons, pens, pencils, erasers, folders, glue, calculators, highlighters, legal pads, paper, lunch boxes, rulers, scissors, pencil sharpeners and school art supplies.

For a comprehensive list of items that are eligible and ineligible, look up the 2026 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday page at revenue.alabama.gov.

Most cities in the state take part in the holiday, but not all of them.

Participation must be voted on each year by the city’s council.

Colbert County cities confirmed to be taking part, as shown on the sales tax holiday tab on the state website, are Littleville, Muscle Shoals and Sheffield.

In a related effort, the Colbert County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help to fill a squad car with back-to-school supplies.

Items like 24-pack crayons, No. 2 pencils, colored pencils, ink pens, glue sticks, school glue, expo markers, washable 8-pack markers, blunt tip scissors, composition notebooks, plastic pocket folders with brads, pink erasers, bar erasers, pencil boxes, face masks, antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer and wide rule paper are requested.

Items can be dropped off at the CCSO office in the courthouse from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and at the Colbert County School Board on Highway 72.

CCSO will be at the Muscle Shoals Walmart on Saturday, July 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. taking donations of school supplies.

The drive runs through July 31.

Muscle Shoals City Schools and Sheffield City Schools return to the classroom Aug. 6.

Tuscumbia City Schools follows the next day on Aug. 7.

Colbert County Schools return Aug. 12, with Covenant Christian resuming learning on Aug. 13.