Buy emergency supplies, save money during
Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday
No sales tax is charged on the purchase of many items that can be used to prepare homes and businesses and to fill emergency supply kits during Virginia’s Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. All retailers participate, according to Virginia law.
Among the items that will be exempt from sales tax are:
- Batteries, including cell phone batteries
- Battery-powered light sources, such as flashlights and lanterns
- Bottled water of all types and sizes, including flavored, carbonated and vitamin waters
- Battery-powered and/or hand-crank radios, including those with electrical power option
- Weather band radios and NOAA Weather Radios
- First aid kits
- Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Tarps, plastic sheeting, plastic drop cloths, duct tape
- Water storage containers, including coolers, buckets, barrels, canteens
- Storm shutter devices
- Portable generators
“Last year proved that Virginia is not immune from hurricanes and tropical systems,” said Michael Cline, state coordinator for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. “Five Virginians died as a result of Hurricane Irene in late August, which caused the second-highest number of power outages in Virginia history. Then we were hit by the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee in September that took the lives of five citizens and displaced hundreds more.
Nearly the entire state was affected to some extent, and we were left with millions of dollars in property damage. Everyone should take steps to prepare for this hurricane season.”
Hurricane season starts June 1. Additional information about preparing for hurricane and flooding season is available at www.ReadyVirginia.gov
