May 11, 2009
CONTACTS:
Joel Davison
Public Relations Manager
(804) 786-3507
joel.davison@tax.virginia.gov
Laura Southard
Public Outreach Coordinator
Department of Emergency Management
(804) 897-6500, ext. 6519
laura.southard@vdem.virginia.gov
~ Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is May 25-31 ~
Hurricane season will soon be here and now is a good time to start thinking about whether you will be ready if one of these devastating storms rips through Virginia.
For the second year, many items that are very useful if a hurricane strikes will be exempt from the 5 percent state and local sales tax during the Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. The holiday runs from Monday, May 25, through Sunday, May 31, which is the seven days prior to the beginning of hurricane season on June 1. The tax-free products include generators that cost $1,000 or less and 22 other items, including batteries, flashlights and bottled water, which sell for $60 or less each.
Virginia is not immune from hurricanes and other major storms. Since 2003, Virginia has had 49 fatalities and suffered over $2 billion in damage from storms including Hurricane Isabel, Hurricane Jeanne, and Tropical Depression Gaston. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of Hurricane Camille, which left over 100 dead and damage of more than $1 billion in Virginia.
“This sales tax holiday is the perfect time to go shopping and buy tax-exempt items that will help you get through a hurricane or other large storm when there are usually power outages and other problems,” said Tax Commissioner Janie Bowen.
Information about the sales tax holiday is available on the Tax Department’s Web site at www.tax.virginia.gov. This includes guidelines, the list of tax-exempt products and frequently asked questions.
The tax-free items include bungee cords, duct tape, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, manual can openers and two-way radios. All Virginia retailers who sell the tax-exempt products are required by law to waive the sales tax on these items during the seven-day exemption period.
During the holiday, retailers are also permitted to pay the sales tax themselves on any non-qualifying item or items they sell and pass the 5 percent savings on to customers.
Virginia also has two additional sales tax holidays. The holiday for school supplies and clothing will occur this year from Aug. 7-9, and the tax-free holiday for Energy Star and WaterSense products will take place Oct. 9-12.
