Alabama Arise members have advocated relentlessly for decades to urge Alabama to untax groceries. And for the second time in three years, that advocacy has gotten big results for the people of our state. A new law reducing Alabama’s state sales tax on groceries from 3% to 2% will take effect on Monday. (That’s Labor Day!) HB 386 by Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, also will give cities and counties more flexibility to reduce local grocery taxes if they choose. This year’s reduction builds on the momentum of a 2023 law that reduced the state grocery tax from 4% to 3%.
“This is great news for the people of Alabama,” Arise’s Robyn Hyden said. “The latest grocery tax reduction will make it easier for every Alabamian to make ends meet, especially in this time of persistently high food prices. Everyone in our state will benefit from this law, and people who are struggling to make ends meet will benefit the most of all.”
Check out our full news release for more information. |
Alabama is one of only 10 states still taxing groceries. There’s a reason that shameful list keeps getting shorter: The grocery tax is a cruel tax on survival. It drives many families deeper into poverty and is a major driver of Alabama’s upside-down tax system, which forces Alabamians with low and moderate incomes to pay a higher share of their incomes in state and local taxes than the wealthiest households.
Arise is grateful for the determined efforts of our members and legislative champions who are working to advance tax justice. And we remain committed to the goal of eliminating the grocery tax entirely.
“Lawmakers must work together to agree to a solution to untax groceries sustainably and responsibly,” Hyden said. “Our work will continue until the state grocery tax is a thing of the past.”
Read our news release for more on Arise’s work to untax groceries. |
