The upcoming Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday is a great time to stock up on items you may need if an emergency strikes Virginia bringing strong winds and rain, power outages, and possibly limited access to food and water.
This year gas-powered chainsaws priced at $350 or less join the list of tax-exempt items you can buy during the holiday week of May 25-31. Chainsaw accessories that cost $60 or less are also included.
The holiday exempts 22 categories of smaller items, including batteries, flashlights, bottled water, tarps, duct tape, fire extinguishers, cell-phone chargers, smoke detectors, buckets, rope and first aid kits. As long as each item costs $60 or less, it is exempt from the retail sales and use tax.
Portable generators and inverters priced at $1,000 or less are also exempt during the weeklong event. For a full list of tax-exempt products, answers to frequently asked questions, and guidelines for consumers and retailers, visit the Virginia Department of Taxation’s website. The 2014 hurricane season begins June 1.
“This is the time to assess how well you and your family are prepared for an emergency,” said Tax Commissioner Craig Burns. “Experience shows that Virginia gets its share of bad weather so it makes good sense to not only stock up on what you need if an emergency hits, but to save money while doing so.”
While all Virginia retailers who sell the tax-exempt items are required to participate in the sales tax holiday, retailers may also choose to pay the sales tax themselves on any nonexempt items and pass the savings on to customers.
Go to www.ReadyVirginia.gov for information from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management about putting together a family plan and supply kit for emergencies.
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