Final Hours Of Sales Tax Holiday In Virginia: What's Included

The sales tax holiday is in full swing in Virginia, and families have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 5 to stock up on back-to-school supplies, clothes and other items.

During the sales tax holiday from Aug. 3-5, qualifying clothing and footwear priced at $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. 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.

The state has a detailed list of what is taxable and what is exempt from Virginia's sales tax that week. While many types of clothing will be tax-free, accessories such as makeup, handbags, jewelry, umbrellas and wallets as well as sports equipment are not eligible for the tax exemption.

Aside from back-to-school items, residents can also purchase hurricane preparedness items such as 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.

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 list of what is taxable and what is tax-free during Virginia's sales tax holiday. Happy shopping!

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