By By Kerry Whipple Bean and Lydia Grimes
School supplies - everything from belts to bookbags - will be exempt from sales tax for the third year in a row in Alabama during the first week of August.
Also for the third year, Brewton and East Brewton will join the state in suspending their sales tax for a variety of clothing, computer and school supply items from 12:01 a.m. Friday, Aug. 1, to midnight Sunday, Aug. 3.
East Brewton council members agreed Monday to take part in the sales tax holiday, while the Brewton City Council voted on the issue last month. Shoppers can save 7 percent on their purchases during the sales tax holiday. City sales taxes amounting to 3 percent will be suspended in Brewton and East Brewton on qualified purchases, and state sales taxes of 4 percent will also be suspended during the period.
Escambia County has declined to participate in the past three years because its only sales tax revenue - which amounts to 1 percent on purchases - benefits Escambia County Schools.
Among the items exempt from sales tax are: school uniforms, most clothes and shoes, diapers, boots, belts and other clothing and accessories. Each individual item cannot cost more than $100.
School supplies exempt from the list include binders, notebook paper, art supplies and other classroom needs with a sales price of $50 or less, per item.
Books with a sales price of $30 or less are also exempt, as are computers, software and computer supplies with a single purchase sales price of $750 or less.