Virginia Sales Tax Holiday 2020: Dates, What It Includes

VIRGINIA — Each summer before the school year, Virginia sets a sales tax holiday to allow tax-free purchases of certain items. While the start of the school year may look different due to the pandemic, it's an ideal time to stock up on clothing, school supplies, emergency preparedness items and select appliances.

This year's sales tax holiday runs from Friday, Aug. 7 at 12:01 a.m. to Sunday, Aug. 9 at 11:59 p.m. The state's 4.3 percent state sales tax, the 1 percent local option tax, and other applicable regional taxes are waived on qualifying items during the three-day period.

The Virginia General Assembly sets the sales tax holiday for the first Friday of August through the following Sunday. 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 at least through July 1, 2022.

Sales tax will be waived for certain items purchased in store and online. This includes qualifying clothing and footwear priced at $100 each, school supplies at $20 each, select hurricane and emergency preparedness products, and Energy Star and WaterSense products at $2,500 or less.

The Virginia Department of Taxation provides a detailed list of what products can be purchased tax-free over the three days. The tax exemption for clothing includes items like jackets, diapers, jeans, shirts, sneakers, and more.

Ineligible clothing items are classified as accessories, such as briefcases, cosmetics, handbags, umbrellas and wallets. Protective equipment such as breathing masks, face shields, hard hats and protective gloves are not included in the tax exemption. Sports or recreational equipment such as life preservers, mouth guards, and ski boots also do not qualify.

Eligible school supplies priced at $20 or less include book bags, notebooks, calculators, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, pens, tissues and more. Items do not have to be purchase for school use to qualify for the exemption.

Given the recent impact of the latest tropical storm and other severe weather events, it's an opportune time to buy supplies you may need in an emergency. Qualifying items priced at $60 or less include batteries, flashlights, battery-powered radios, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, bottled water, cell phone chargers, first aid kits and more. Items priced at $1,000 or less include portable generators and cords, inverters and inverter power cables, and photovoltaic devices that produce electricity. Chain saws for $350 or less and parts for $60 or less also qualify.

EnergyStar and WaterSense products for $2,500 or less can be purchased tax-free for noncommercial or personal use. The qualifying EnergyStar products include air conditioners, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, washing machines, dishwashers, light bulbs, and refrigerators. The WaterSense products include bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories, shower heads, toilets, urinals, and landscape irrigation controllers.

For more about the sales tax holiday, visit www.tax.virginia.gov/virginia-sales-tax-holiday.