Virginia Sales Tax Holiday 2017 Is This Weekend (ICYMI)

KINGSTOWNE, VA—Lawmakers once again have a gift for Virginia families this weekend: a back-to-school sales tax holiday on August 4-6.

Typically the sales tax rate is 5.3 percent—4.3 percent going to the state and 1 percent to the locality. (Plus there's 0.7 percent tacked onto sales in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.) During the Virginia Sales Tax Holiday weekend, clothing and shoes under $100 qualify, as well as school supplies under $20. You can get everything from binders to lunch boxes to textbooks. Clothing means anything from baby clothing to jackets and shoes. But accessories like makeup, jewelry and sunglasses are not included.

But it's not only school supplies and clothing that are included. Certain appliances and emergency preparedness items will also be tax free. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Residents are encouraged to stock up for hurricane season with the tax exemption. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted an above-average hurricane season on the East Coast, which could peak in mid August.

Tax-exempt items for hurricane preparedness include:

• Portable generators priced at $1,000 or less per item
• Gas-powered chainsaws priced at $350 or less per item
• Chainsaw accessories priced at $60 or less per item
• Other qualifying hurricane preparedness items priced at $60 or less per item

While fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, flashlights and first aid kits are exempt, you might be surprised to learn everyday items like bottled water, duct tape and cell phone chargers qualify too.

Other items included in the sales tax holiday are qualifying Energy Star and WaterSense products priced at $2,500 or less per item. They must be purchased for non-business use.

Virginia's back-to-school sales tax holiday is extended through fiscal year 2022. Before fiscal year 2016, Virginia offered sales tax holidays in May, August and October, but all exemptions have been combined for the one weekend in August. See the detailed list of what is taxable and what is exempt from Virginia’s sales tax. Happy shopping!

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