Showing posts with label Tax holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tax holiday. Show all posts

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Virginia’s Popular Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Returns Friday

Money 2014 ...item 3d.. State worker ordered t...
(Photo credit: marsmet527)
~ School Supplies, Clothing and Footwear will be Exempt from Sales Tax ~

RICHMOND, Va. – It’s time to make your shopping list because Virginia’s popular sales tax holiday for clothing, footwear, and school and office supplies begins Friday.

For the ninth straight year, many clothing items, shoes, and school and office supplies will be sales tax-free during the first full weekend in August, which is Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3 this year.  It’s a great time to buy what you need while saving some money.

During the three-day event, most school and office supplies that cost $20 or less each, as well as clothing items and pairs of shoes priced at $100 or less each will be exempt from Virginia’s 5.3 percent state and local sales tax.  You’ll save even more in most Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads localities where the sales tax is 6 percent.  For example, if you spend $500 on qualifying items during the sales tax holiday, you’ll save $26.50 for tax exempt purchases.  You’ll save $30 in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads.

The list of tax-exempt items is the same as last year.  It includes pens, pencils, loose leaf ruled notebook paper, scissors, binders, backpacks, construction paper, sneakers, hats, shirts, dresses, jeans, bathing suits, diapers, T-shirts, and many more items.  There is no requirement that the purchases be made for school purposes.

All retailers who sell the exempt items are required to participate.

The tax-exempt items are available to anyone shopping in the state and there is no limit on the number of products you can buy tax-free, as long as each one qualifies under the guidelines.

“This is an event that benefits both consumers and businesses in Virginia,” said Gov. Terry McAuliffe.  “Many families will be sending more than one child off to school soon and this gives them an opportunity to save money on purchases that are necessary to get them ready for class.  It also carries a universal appeal because everyone who wants to buy some clothes or office supplies can benefit during the three days of the holiday.  I urge all Virginians to go out and save some money, while supporting our retail community.”

If you can’t get out to the stores but still want to shop and save, online purchases of qualifying items are also tax-exempt during the sales tax holiday.

During the sales tax holiday, retailers may also choose to save taxpayers even more money by absorbing, or paying themselves, the sales tax on items that are not eligible for exemption.  In past years, many stores have taken advantage of this opportunity and some have sold everything in their stores tax-free.

An all-inclusive list of school and office supplies, a list of exempt clothing and footwear items, guidelines for shoppers and retailers, and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Department’s Sales Tax Holiday Information Center at www.tax.virginia.gov.

Virginia’s other two sales tax holidays are for hurricane preparedness in May, and for energy-efficient appliances and water-saving items in October.

Saturday, October 5, 2013

Tax Holiday for Energy-Efficient Appliances Returns to Virginia October 11-14

Look for this logo when considering your new r...
Look for this logo when considering your new roofing materials (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
~ It’s a great time to replace old, inefficient washers, AC units, etc. ~

RICHMOND – If your old appliances are on their last legs, it’s a great time to replace them with energy-efficient products while saving some money.  Virginia’s seventh Energy Star and WaterSense Sales Tax Holiday returns Friday, Oct. 11, and lasts through Monday, Oct. 14.

Energy Star and WaterSense products are better for the environment, and have the added benefit of lowering your home’s energy bills.

Each qualifying product must cost $2,500 or less, have either an Energy Star or WaterSense label affixed, and be purchased for personal or noncommercial use.  Qualifying Energy Star products include air conditioners, ceiling fans, washing machines, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, refrigerators and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). WaterSense-labeled bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories, toilets, showerheads, urinals and landscape irrigation controllers will also be tax-exempt. Certain used Energy Star and WaterSense items will also qualify for tax-free status during the four-day exemption period.

“If there’s one thing most of us can relate to this time of year, it’s a desire to lower our energy bills,” said Governor Bob McDonnell.  “Not only is it a good way to save some money, it’s also good for the environment.  For the past several years, Virginians have had the opportunity to save money by replacing their old, outdated appliances with Energy Star or WaterSense products. Even if you’re not in the market for new appliances, everyone needs light bulbs – and CFLs are included in the holiday. I urge everyone who needs these products to go out and take advantage of this long money-saving weekend.”

The Department of Taxation has posted guidelines, frequently asked questions, and a list of approved Energy Star and WaterSense items on its website at tax.virginia.gov.

Online purchases of qualifying Energy Star and WaterSense products will also be exempt from the sales tax as long as the orders are placed during the Oct. 11-14 exemption period and the sellers have the items available for immediate shipment.

In addition to exempting certain Energy Star and WaterSense products from the sales tax during the four-day tax holiday, retailers may also offer non-exempt merchandise sales-tax free.  Retailers who choose to do this must pay the tax themselves to the Department of Taxation.
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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Virginia's Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday Returns August 2-4

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in .
English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

– Many Clothing Items and School Supplies Will be Tax-Free –


RICHMOND - It's the end of July, and you've still got a whole month left to play in the pool, grill outdoors, and visit Virginia's beautiful state parks with your kids. Back-to-school shopping might be the last thing on your mind at the moment. You may want to slip your flip-flops back on and hit the stores, however, because it's time once again for Virginia's annual back-to-school sales tax holiday.
This year's holiday begins on Friday, Aug. 2, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 4. Items that will be exempt from sales tax during the holiday include most articles of clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less each, and school or office supplies that cost $20 or less per item. There is no limit to the number of items you can purchase without paying the sales tax, provided each item meets the holiday restrictions.

"After four straight years of revenue surpluses, it is evident that Virginia's economy continues to strengthen," said Governor Bob McDonnell. "I hope Virginians will go out and take advantage of this holiday by spending their back-to-school dollars at Virginia retailers. Not only will this continue to benefit our state's economy and employers, it will save Virginians some money at the same time."

A list of qualifying items, guidelines for the holiday, and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the Virginia Department of Taxation's website at http://www.tax.virginia.gov/site.cfm?alias=SchoolSuppliesAndClothingHoliday. Anyone can buy tax-exempt items during the holiday; it is not limited to purchases for students. During the tax holidays, retailers may elect to pay the sales tax themselves on any non-qualifying items that they want to offer tax-free to customers. This means great deals can likely be found on many other items as well.


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