Archive for August, 2006 Page 2 of 2
By all accounts from consumers and retailers, Virginia’s first Sales Tax Holiday was a big success. The “holiday” ran last weekend, Friday through Sunday. Shoppers in Virginia did not have to pay the 5-percent sales tax on school supplies priced at $20 or less per item, and on clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per article of clothing or pair of footwear. Additionally, retailers were permitted to voluntarily “absorb” the sales tax on other items, effectively giving shoppers a 5-percent discount on a wide range of goods purchases in Virginia stores.
“We saved about 20 dollars on school clothes for Caleb, which doesn’t sound like much, but to some families that will make a real difference,” said David. “This is a small measure of help to families struggling to make ends meet in our high cost of living area — and I was proud to support it in the General Assembly. Additionally, thanks to retailers voluntarily absorbing the sales tax on other items, last weekend’s ‘holiday’ gave shoppers from Maryland and D.C. a great incentive to spend their money in Virginia, which is always good for our local economy.”
The three-day “holiday” will take place each year beginning on the first Friday in August and ending at midnight on the following Sunday.
Virginia’s first Sales Tax Holiday begins today! For three full days, Friday, Aug. 4, through Sunday, Aug. 6, shoppers in Virginia will not have to pay the 5-percent sales tax on school supplies priced at $20 or less per item, and on clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per article of clothing or pair of footwear. In addition, retailers may also voluntarily “absorb” the sales tax on any other items in their stores for these three days. Retailers who “absorb” the sales tax on non-exempt items must pay the sales tax themselves to the Tax Department.
“As a parent, I know how expensive getting ready for school can be,” said David. “This is a small measure of help — especially to families struggling to make ends meet in our high cost of living area — and I was proud to support it in the General Assembly.”
The Virginia Department of Taxation is extending its customer service hours to answer questions. Customer service representatives will be prepared to answer questions about the sales tax holiday until 9 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. The number to call is 804-367-8037. The department will be closed on Sunday. For further details about the “holiday,” check the agency’s special sales tax holiday Web site, http://www.tax.virginia.gov/salestaxholiday, which includes an all-inclusive list of school supplies and a representative list of clothing qualifying for the exemption.
The “holiday” is expected to save shoppers about $3.6 million in retail sales tax. The three-day “holiday” will take place each year beginning on the first Friday in August and ending at midnight on the following Sunday.
Many thanks to another houseful of Vote Strong grassroots volunteers who made tonight’s Volunteer Night a huge success! Once again, in addition to Team Englin stalwarts, we welcomed new volunteers, including James Martin of Virginia Progressive fame. Tonight also debuted Team Englin’s Volunteer Night Captain program, where we give experienced volunteers the opportunity to lead. Congratulations to “Colonel” Dan Cronin on a job well done!
Together we assembled a mailing to hundreds of David’s constituents and made more than 200 hundred phone calls to fight the so-called marriage amendment, which will empower the Commonwealth Coalition to get out the vote in November.
After getting things going at Campaign Central, David defied the heat and hit the streets to knock on doors and listen to the thoughts and concerns of his constituents.
“I’m incredibly lucky to have so many friends and neighbors willing to give their time and energy to help me continue communicating with my constituents,” said David. “Thank you for standing with me as we fight for progress together.”
Find out about the next Volunteer Night here! And remember that if there’s ever anything David can do for you, contact him at DelDEnglin@house.state.va.us.
