From Sunday, May 25, through Saturday, May 31, Virginia will hold it’s first Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday to lend a hand as families and businesses prepare for hurricane season. Sales tax will not be charged on generators under $1,000, and on other preparedness items costing less than $60.
“In addition to providing a measure of help to people trying to be ready for emergencies in these tough economic times, I hope this holiday will highlight the need for people to be ready and plan for emergencies,” said David.
The General Assembly of Virginia approved the tax holiday during the 2008 Legislative Session. The following items may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax during the tax holiday (as long as the item is priced less than $60):
- Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice
- Batteries (excluding automobile or boat batteries), including
- AAA cell
- AA cell
- C cell
- D cell
- 6 volt
- 9 volt
- Cell phone batteries
- Any portable self-powered light sources including
- Flashlights
- Lanterns
- Glow sticks
- Tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting
- Bungee cords, rope
- Ground anchor systems or tie down kits
- Ratchet straps
- Duct tape
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Smoke detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers
- Water storage containers
- Nonelectric food storage coolers
- Bottled water
- Manual can openers
- Portable self-powered radios (including self-powered radios with electrical power capability)
- Two-way radios
- Weather band radios and NOAA weather radios
- Storm shutter devices
- Cell phone chargers
- First Aid Kits
In addition, the following items may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax during the tax holiday (as long as the item is priced less than $1,000):
- Portable generators and generator power cords
- Inverters and inverter power cables
The Virginia Department of Taxation’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Guidelines and Rules are available online at http://www.tax.virginia.gov/salestaxholiday.
For additional information on hurricane preparation, visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management website at http://www.vaemergency.com.
