Governor Bob McDonnell announces Hurricane Preparedness Tax-free Holiday May 25-May 31, 2012 to prepare citizens to stock up on emergency items for hurricane season. Hurricane season starts June 1-November 30. Severe weather is no stranger to Virginia, last year citizens experienced tornadoes, an earthquake, aftershocks, and Hurricane Irene.
“The safety of our families is critically important for all Virginians,” said Governor McDonnell. “It is essential that citizens, as well as government and emergency response agencies, make appropriate preparations to deal with anything Mother Nature sends our way. The best way to protect yourself and your family is by assembling an emergency supply kit and developing emergency plans for your loved ones. With the 2012 hurricane season just around the corner, I encourage residents to take a few minutes to evaluate what items they still may need to prepare for hurricanes and other emergencies. This tax-free holiday will make it easier and more economical to assemble an emergency kit now which may make Virginian’s lives easier in the event of a major storm or emergency.”
The Virginia Department of Taxation announces it’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday May 25 thru May 31, 2012. Qualifying items that are $60 or less will be exempt from the 5% sale tax. There are 22 catagories of smaller qualifying items, including batteries, radios, flash lights, duct tape, smoke detectors, first aid kits, bottled water, etc. Also, generators that are $1000 or less are tax exempt from Virginia’s sale tax.
I have a complete list of tax exempt items, please visit http://www.tax.virginia.gov/Documents/2011%20List%20of%20Exempt%20Items%20(2).pdf
During this seven-day period, retailers may also choose to pay the sales tax themselves on any nonexempt items and pass the 5 percent savings onto their customers.
Virginia also has two additional sales tax holidays – one for school supplies and clothing in August, and one for Energy Star and WaterSense products in October. The 2012 General Assembly renewed this tax-free hurricane preparedness holiday through 2017 after successes of previous campaigns.
