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Hurricane season sales tax through May 31

Posted at 1:04 PM, May 24, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-29 07:54:16-04

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) – For one week, starting May 25th, Virginians will be able to stock up on items like batteries, flashlights and other hurricane preparedness items tax-free.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management says taxes will be waived on products ranging from bottled water to big ticket items like generators, as long as they’re priced at $1,000 or less.

You can see a complete list of items here.

VDEM has also released the newest version of their Hurricane Evacuation Guide. It contains evacuation routes, emergency traffic patterns, storm surge maps  and preparedness tips.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS SALES TAX HOLIDAY

APPENDIX — LIST OF QUALIFYING ITEMS

May 25 – May 31

Sales Price of $60 or less

The following hurricane preparedness items may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax during the “Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday,” provided that such items have a selling price of $60 or less per item.

• Artificial ice, blue ice, ice packs and reusable ice• Batteries (excluding automobile or boat batteries), includingo AAA cello AA cello C cello D cell

o 6 volt

o 9 volt

o Cell phone batteries

• Any portable self-powered light sources including

o Flashlights

o Lanterns

o Glow sticks

• Tarpaulins, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, and other flexible waterproof sheeting• Bungee cords, rope• Ground anchor systems or tie down kits• Ratchet straps• Duct tape• Carbon monoxide detectors

• Smoke detectors

• Fire extinguishers

• Gas or diesel fuel tanks or containers

• Water storage containers

• Nonelectric food storage coolers

• Bottled water

• Manual can openers

• Portable self-powered radios (including self-powered radios with electrical power capability)• Two-way radios• Weather band radios and NOAA weather radios • Storm shutter devices• Cell phone chargers• First Aid Kits

Sales Price of $1,000 or less

The following hurricane preparedness items may be purchased exempt of the Retail Sales and Use Tax during the “Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday,” provided that such items have a selling price of $1000 or less per item.

• Portable generators and generator power cords
• Inverters and inverter power cables

The Virginia Department of Taxation’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday Guidelines and Rules are available online at http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=HurricanePreparednessEquipmentHoliday.