Virginia Sales Tax Holiday Schedule 2009

Spring 2009 brings the first of three sales tax holidays in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia Department of Taxation has posted consumer information regarding the dates of the sales tax holidays related to hurricane preparedness, back-to-school and Energy Star appliances, as well as a list of qualifying products. Cost conscious consumers wanting the most bang for their buck should browse the tax free qualifying items on each list and plan their purchases to coincide with tax holidays. Rural Virginians often plagued by power outages may be interested to know that generators can be purchased sales tax free during the Hurricane Preparedness Tax Free holiday set for the last week of May.

Virginia Sales Tax Holiday 2009: Hurricane Preparedness, May 25-31

Hurricane season is just around the corner. While June is generally a slow month for hurricanes, by the end of the summer, hurricanes and their projected paths take over the news. Here in Virginia, hurricanes are a real possibility, though generally Virginians suffer through the remnants of a downgraded hurricane. Consumers considering purchasing a generator will want to do so during the Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday to avoid paying sales tax. For a generator to qualify, it must cost $1,000 or less. Though the summer heat may make winter seem far away, remember that ice storms can cause widespread power outages during the cold winter and purchasing a generator during Hurricane Preparedness week will allow consumers to be ready for next winter's power outages. In addition to generators costing $1,000 or less, many common items also qualify for tax free status provided that they cost less than $60. Making the list are batteries, flash lights, NOAA weather radios, bottled water and more.

Virginia Sales Tax Holiday 2009: Back-to-school, August 7-9

Plan your back-to-school purchases to fall during the August 7-9 weekend to save on sales tax on many back-to-school items costing $20 or less, including pencils, pens, binders, notebooks, and much more. Provided that each item individually costs less than the $20 per item limit, school supplies can be purchased tax free during the Back-to-School sales tax holiday weekend. Most clothing and footwear is also exempt during the Back-to-School sales tax holiday, provided that the cost per item is $100.00 or less. The Virginia Taxation website does provide a comprehensive list of items that do and do not qualify under the guidelines. Parents cash strapped by the recession will want to plan their larger purchases to coincide with the Back-to-School sales tax holiday weekend.

Virginia Sales Tax Holiday 2009: Energy Star and Water Sense, October 9-12

Consumers needing to upgrade or replace their appliances may want to hold out for the Energy Star and Water Sense Sales Tax Holiday in October. Provided that the appliance bears the Energy Star or Water Sense labeling, costs less than $2,500, and is for personal and not commercial use, the item can be purchased sales tax free during the holiday period. Saving the 5% sales tax rate on a $500 appliance will save Virginians $25 if they purchase their appliance during the holiday period. Included on the Energy Star qualifying list are dishwashers, washing machines and even programmable thermostats. Water Sense eligible products can include toilets, bathroom sink faucets and faucet accessories.

Sources:
Hurricane Preparedness sales tax exempt list: http://www.tax.virginia.gov/web_pdfs/Exempt_Products.pdf
School supplies sales tax exempt list: http://www.tax.virginia.gov/web_pdfs/Exempt_Products.pdf
Clothing and Footwear sales tax exempt list: http://www.tax.virginia.gov/web_pdfs/Exempt_Products.pdf
Energy Star/Water Sense sales tax exempt list: http://www.tax.virginia.gov/web_pdfs/Exempt_Items_List_Energy_Star.pdf