Virginia Exempts Hurricane-Preparedness Items from Sales Tax

If you’re planning on preparing for a hurricane, this is the week to do it.

Virginia’s sales tax holiday on hurricane preparedness items runs from Monday through Sunday. Throughout the week, 22 items that can be helpful in a storm — including batteries, flashlights, bottled water and generators — are exempt from the 5 percent state and local sales tax.

A complete list of tax-exempt products can be found at the state Tax Department’s Web site. The items must cost $1,000 or less.

Since 2003, Virginia has had 49 fatalities and suffered more than $2 billion in damage from hurricanes and tropical storms.

During the sales tax holiday retailers can choose to exempt other items from sales tax.

Latest Comments

• May 28, 2009 at 2:10 am

  Joe Mama says:

  reminds me of that old joke about the two old ladies eating dinner. One says to the other, "Boy, this food is TERRIBLE!" and the other says, "Yeah, and such small portions!"
• May 28, 2009 at 1:36 am

  Kevin says:

  Amen, Scott! Complaining about this tax break reminds me of the 199 guys in a previous place of employment (a union bakery, 17 yrs ago) that complained when the owner handed ... read more
• May 28, 2009 at 1:13 am

  Scott says:

  Can't argue with that but it's something and is an excellent way to encourage people to prepare.