Politics & Government
Virginia's Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday
Plan to go shopping the last week of May and you will save money. During Virginia’s annual Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday – May 25-31 – no sales tax will be charged on many supplies used to protect homes and businesses during hurricane and flooding season. You also can stock up on items for your family’s emergency supply kit.
Many everyday items are exempt:
• Bottled water of any size, including flavored, carbonated and vitamin water.
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• Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs, reusable ice.
• Batteries, excluding car or boat batteries.
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• Battery-powered light sources, including flashlights and lanterns.
• First-aid kits.
• Cellphone chargers.
• Weather Band radios and NOAA Weather Radios.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radios, including radio with electrical power option.
• Two-way radios.
• Manual can openers
• Tarps, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths.
• Duct tape.
• Bungee cords and rope.
• Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits.
• Ratchet straps.
• 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). Save money on big-ticket items, too, with a sales price of $1,000 or less:
• Portable generators and generator power cords.
• Inverters and inverter power cables.
Retail outlets will have information about the tax holiday. For a complete list and more information, go to www.tax.virginia.gov/salestaxholiday. For information about getting ready for hurricane and flooding season in Virginia, visit www.ReadyVirginia.gov or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/oem.
The Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management strongly recommends that area residents and businesses participate in this year's hurricane sales tax holiday. To learn more, contact the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management at 571-350-1000, TTY 711, or e-mailoem@fairfaxcounty.gov.
