Alabama’s severe weather sales tax holiday is now an annual event, which will occur on the last weekend of February each year.

The tax holiday gives shoppers a unique opportunity to purchase certain preparedness supplies free of Alabama’s four percent sales or use tax.

Although no Escambia County cities are participating in the tax holiday, there are nearly 200 city and county governments who have agreed to observe the tax holiday.

Alabama is one of three states with a severe weather preparedness sales tax holiday. Louisiana and Virginia hold their emergency preparedness sales tax holidays in May.

“Severe weather is no longer limited to a season,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown. “The next disaster could come at any time. The tax holiday helps Alabama consumers remember to be prepared.”