National Preparedness Month - September 2008
May 2008 – A New Virginia Sales Tax Holiday Runs from May 25 through May 31.
Purchases of items designated by the Virginia Department of Taxation as hurricane preparedness equipment will be exempt from Virginia’s 5 percent sales tax.
To qualify, portable generators must be priced at $1,000 or less, and other eligible items must be priced at $60 or less per item. Retailers may also choose to absorb the tax on other items during the holiday period. Virginia’s tax rate is generally 5 percent of the cost price, while the rate on sales of food for home consumption is 2.5 percent.
Qualifying items include: generators, batteries, flashlights, bottled water, first aid kits, power cables, duct tape and cell phone chargers. Click here for a complete list.
During their 2007 legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly created this tax holiday as a recurring annual event beginning this year, every May through 2012. By law, all Virginia retailers must participate.
Click here for more information on how to prepare for emergencies and stay safe.