Back to School Tax Free Holiday

GULF COAST - Alabama and Florida's annual tax free shopping holiday kicks off Friday. Throughout the weekend back to school items, computers and clothing will be - you guessed it - tax free.

Shoppers won't have to pay sales tax on most clothes and shoes under a hundred dollars. The sales tax holiday lasts until midnight Sunday.

Here are some tips to get the most out of the sales tax holiday.

• First - plan ahead.  Make a list of the items you need to purchase to avoid buying on impulse.  It's a good idea to make a budget and stick to it.
•  Second - compare prices and shop carefully. Check the circulars for prices and sales. Tax holiday "sales" and promotions may not always be the bargains they appear to be.
•  Finally, before making a purchase, make sure you know how refunds and exchanges are handled after the sales tax holiday ends.

Tax free shopping in Alabama starts Friday, August 5 and ends August 7.

Here are reference sheets on what you can buy tax free this weekend:

Alabama: http://www.revenue.alabama.gov/salestax/STHolidayQuickRefSheet12.pdf

Floriday: http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/pdf/tip2a01-02List.pdf