The next tax-free shopping day is May 3

Start saving today. Wrangell’s first sales tax-free day of 2025 will be on Saturday, May 3.

The borough assembly approved the chamber of commerce’s date request unanimously at its Jan. 28 meeting.

There may be a second tax-free day in 2025, which the chamber has traditionally scheduled for October. This year, the assembly will consider the chamber’s request for a second tax-free day with a public hearing at its April 22 meeting.

Last December the assembly altered municipal code so that the number of tax-free days every fiscal year can be anywhere between zero and two. Members made the change so that if the borough budget is especially pinched one year, they would not lose the sales tax revenue from two tax-free days. On the flip side, if there is a high-revenue year, the borough could afford to approve both days.

Another notable change is that starting this year, tax-free days will need to be requested by the chamber rather than automatically approved by the borough.

Because the borough’s fiscal year ends June 30, the two tax-free days occur in separate fiscal years. For this reason, the chamber has made the first request this month and the second request will come later. Borough Clerk Kim Lane said that in future years, the chamber will request the dates at the same time.

Tracey Martin, the chamber’s executive director, sees Wrangell’s tradition of tax-free days as something beneficial for all cohorts of the Wrangell community.

“This … will serve as a significant boost to our economy while providing valuable benefits to our community,” Martin said.

She added that there are four clear benefits to the tax-free day: stimulating Wrangell’s economy, boosting community engagement, attracting visitors to town and supporting local families by providing more affordable essential goods.