Trim your Taxes for your Tailgate

The weekend February 22-24, 2019, presents a tax-saving opportunity for those seeking to prepare for the storms that accompany spring (and summer, and fall) in North Alabama. Before the hail, tornadoes, straight-line wind, microbursts, and other meteorological mayhem commences, Alabama Department of Revenue is holding its seventh annual Severe Weather Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. Items like weather radios, duct tape, tarps, and flashlights are included in this holiday. But also listed are some items that may also prove useful for another season - football season!

Despite recent tax law changes eliminating the deductability of donations in exchange for athletic tickets, nowhere else in the country is football bigger than the state of Alabama. Not only do Auburn and Tuscaloosa consistently remain among the top programs nationally, but other schools like UNA, A&M, Troy, Alabama State, and UAB have enjoyed success of late. At any Saturday contest you can find the tradition of tailgating. Many of the items needed at a tailgate, whether it be basic (burgers and beer) or elaborate (as many types of meat as TV screens receiving broadcasts from a satellite dish), you're going to need portable generators, power cords, coolers, and, inevitably, a fire extinguisher. So, for the upcoming 2019 season, February may be the time you revamp your tailgate setup and really expand your gameday experience.

See the full list of eligible items for the holiday.