Selma and Dallas County are preparing to participate in Alabama’s 13th annual sales tax holiday for school-related items. The tax-free weekend is set to take place on July 20-22. More than 300 cities and counties throughout Alabama will waive their local taxes this year.

This year also marks the second year the annual tax holiday will take place in July. Last year, it was voted to take place during the third weekend in July.

Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce said the tax holiday is an opportunity for people to buy what the necessary school items before school starts.

“It’s going to give shoppers an opportunity to purchase school supplies, including computers, books and clothing free of the state’s 4 percent sales tax,” Smedley said.

The exempt items include clothing items that are less than $100 per article of clothing, school supplies that are less than $50 per item, books less than $30 per book and tablets, laptops, computers and printers that are $750 or less.

Smedley said saving money on the items helps in other aspects as well.

“When you go back to school there’s all these fees that add up at one time, so this allows the shoppers to have a little extra to go towards something else,” Smedley said.

She said not only does the weekend benefit the shoppers, it also benefits local businesses and the local economy as well.

“It brings more local shopping into the economy, and introduces shoppers to stores,” Smedley said. “That shopper may not frequent that store, but because it’s tax free weekend and they have the items they need, it gives them an opportunity to showcase their business.”

This year, the #ShopAlabamaForTheKids campaign has been added to the tax-free weekend. It is an opportunity for shoppers to buy extra supplies to donate to children in need. The Alabama Retail Association has partnered with nonprofit organizations throughout the state to support the initiative.

Check the 2018 participating cities and counties list to determine if your local communities are participating. For more information visit alabamaretail.org/alabamasalestaxholidays.