Walmart Will Give You a $5 Gift Card If You Shopped in Alabama on Sept. 1 — Here's Why

Walmart announced they mistakenly overcharged Alabama shoppers for grocery sales tax at the start of September.

Alabama recently reduced the state’s grocery sales tax from 4% down to 3%. The new tax rate went into effect on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, but Walmart missed the boat on making this change for shoppers across the state who made purchases that day.

If you shopped at a Walmart (or a Sam’s Club) in Alabama on the first day of September, you were charged both the new and previous sales tax rates on food purchases.

Now, Walmart’s making up for the miss by offering eligible shoppers a $5 Walmart gift card.

Here’s everything we know about the Walmart offer, who is eligible, and how long you have to claim your gift card:

 

Alabama customers who shopped at a Walmart on Friday, Sep. 1, can get a $5 Walmart gift card.

If you shopped at an Alabama Walmart on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, and you have a receipt showing the overcharged sales tax, you’re eligible for a $5 gift card, courtesy of Walmart. According to local reports, you can also speak with a manager to get a refund for the higher of the two tax rates you were charged.

How to get your $5 Walmart Gift Card:

1. Head to any Alabama Walmart store and visit the customer service desk.
2. Show your receipt dated Sept 1, 2023, that displays the overcharged sales tax.
3. Claim your $5 Walmart gift card at the customer service desk.

 

Walmart is offering these gift cards as a “make good” through Sep. 18, 2023.

If you’re eligible for the $5 gift card, you can claim it at any Alabama Walmart location, but only through Monday, Sept. 18, 2023.

After that, overcharged shoppers won’t be able to claim this offer.

 

Sam’s Club shoppers who were overcharged automatically get $5 in Sam’s Cash.

Walmart shoppers weren’t the only ones overcharged. Sam’s Club customers in Alabama were also overcharged on the grocery sales tax since the two companies are related. However, those shoppers will automatically get $5 Sam’s Cash added to their member accounts, with no effort required.

So, no free gift card offers if you shopped at Sam’s Club on Sep. 1. Your refund is automatic.