Virginia’s sales tax holiday for hurricane and emergency preparedness begins today, May 25, and runs through Monday, May 31. The holiday helps families and businesses in Virginia prepare for hurricane season and other emergencies by purchasing important supplies tax free.
“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, encouraging constituents to visit www.readyvirginia.gov for preparedness information.Virginians can purchase the following eligible emergency items tax-free as long as the item costs less than $60:
- Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs, reusable ice
- Batteries (excluding car or boat batteries)
- Battery-powered light sources, including flashlights and lanterns
- First-aid kits
- Cell phone chargers
- Weather Band radios and NOAA Weather Radios
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radios, including radio with electrical power option
- Bottled water of any size, including flavored, carbonated and vitamin water
- Two-way radios
- Manual can openers
- Tarps, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths
- Bungee cords and rope
- Ground anchor systems or tie down kits
- Ratchet straps
- Duct tape
- Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, fire extinguishers
- Empty gas, propane or diesel fuel tanks or containers
- Water storage containers such as buckets, barrels, canteens, coolers
- Storm shutter devices made for the prevention of storm damage (not plywood)
In addition, the following items are eligible to be purchased tax free as long as the item is priced less than $1,000:
- Portable generators and generator power cords
- Inverters and inverter power cables
Virginia has two additional sales tax holidays, for school supplies and clothing in August, and for energy-efficient appliances and other products in October.
