Virginia Sales Tax-Free Weekend: Dates, What's Included

We know it's not even August, family vacations are in full swing, trips to the shore are under way, and nobody wants to think about school yet. But it's time to start making a list of all the clothes, shoes, backpacks and other supplies your kids will need, because the dates for the Virginia sales tax holiday are coming up fast. Along with sales tax waived on everything from jeans and shorts to shoes and dresses, certain school supplies, appliances and hurricane preparedness items are also tax-free during the special week.

This year's sales tax holiday runs from Friday, Aug. 3 at 12:01 a.m.-Sunday, Aug. 5 at 11:59 p.m. That means qualifying clothing and footwear sold for $100 or less, per item, is exempt from 4.3 percent state sales tax, the 1 percent local option tax, and any applicable regional taxes.

The state has a detailed list of what is taxable and what is exempt from Virginia's sales tax that week. School supplies that are $20 or less per item are also included in the tax exemption. Shoppers can stock up on items such as binders, composition books, lunch boxes, textbooks, tissue boxes and more.

A wide variety of clothing will be tax-free, but accessories such as makeup, handbags, jewelry, umbrellas and wallets as well as sports equipment are not eligible for the exemption.

Aside from back-to-school items, residents can also purchase hurricane preparedness items without sales tax. These include portable generators at $1,000 or less, gas-powered chainsaws at $350 or less, chainsaw accessories at $60 or less and other specified items for $60 or less. These range from batteries, flashlights, smoke detectors, bottled water, cell phone chargers, first aid kits and more.

Certain Energy Star and WaterSense items for noncommercial use will be exempt from tax too. These include items at $2,500 or less and contain an Energy Star or WaterSense label.

According to the Department of Taxation, the state legislature established the sales tax holiday beginning the first Friday of August and ending the next Sunday of every year. Before fiscal year 2016, sales tax holidays happened in May, August and October, but the legislature opted to combine them for one big sales tax weekend in August. The sales tax holidays are extended through July 1, 2022.

See the detailed list of what is taxable and what is exempt from Virginia's sales tax. Happy shopping!

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