Sales tax holiday anticipates the worst

Emergency, first-aid supplies included in McDonnell's plan

By Sally Voth -- svoth@nvdaily.com

Emergency and first-aid supplies will be sold tax-free through the next week.

Virginia's Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday runs today through May 31, according to a news release from Gov. Bob McDonnell's office.

"The 2012 hurricane season begins June 1 and Governor Bob McDonnell is again encouraging residents to stock up on supplies -- tax-free -- to help get them through bad weather and other emergencies," the release states.

In the release, McDonnell encourages residents to have emergency plans and emergency supply kits.

During the sales tax holiday, local sales tax and the 5-percent state sales tax is suspended on certain items.

Tax-free supplies include the following items which sell for $60 or less: ice packs, batteries -- not including those for cars or boats -- flashlights, glow sticks, portable self-powered radios, duct tape, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, bottled water, fire extinguishers, cell phone chargers, first-aid kits, tarps, sheeting, rope, fuel containers, coolers and manual can openers, according to the Virginia Department of Taxation website.

Also tax-exempt are portable generators and their power cords and inverters and inverter power cables if those items are sold for $1,000 or less, according to the site.

Two more sales tax holidays are scheduled this year -- in August there is one for school supplies and clothes, and in October one is planned for Energy Star and WaterSense items, according to the release.