Tax-Exempt Weekend in Virginia Arrives August 1-3: Important Information to Consider
With the summer heat comes good news for Virginia shoppers - the annual sales tax holiday is back! From Friday, August 1, at 12:01 a.m., through Sunday, August 3, at 11:59 p.m., Virginians can save on a variety of items without paying state or local sales tax, provided they meet specific price and product guidelines. Here's what you need to know:
During the tax-free weekend, eligible items include school supplies priced at $20 or less per item, such as binders, notebooks, calculators, lunch boxes, pencils, pens, scissors, and similar commonly used student items. Clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item are also tax-exempt, excluding sporting equipment, athletic footwear, and clothing accessories.
Hurricane and emergency preparedness products are also included in the tax-exemption, with various price limits: portable generators at $1,000 or less, gas-powered chainsaws at $350 or less, chainsaw accessories at $60 or less, and other specified emergency preparedness items at $60 or less. Energy-saving products labeled Energy Star™ or WaterSense™ purchased for noncommercial home or personal use at $2,500 or less per item are also tax-free.
Items not eligible include accessories, protective sports gear, and high-end electronics. For a complete list and details, the Virginia Department of Taxation website provides extensive guidance on product eligibility and FAQs.
The tax exemption applies to in-store, online, mail, or phone purchases as long as the items are ordered and paid during the tax-free weekend and shipment is immediate.
In addition to the sales tax holiday, the Commonwealth of Virginia is also doling out one-time tax rebates of up to $400 to qualifying residents this year. To be eligible for the rebate, you must file your 2024 Virginia income tax return by November 3, 2025. The actual amount of the rebate will depend on how much you owe in state taxes. Those who file early, by July 1, could begin seeing rebates as soon as late July.
The Virginia sales tax holiday follows a trend in more than 17 states this summer, offering sales tax holidays for back-to-school shopping and other essentials. The majority of payments for this year's rebates are expected to be distributed by mid-October.
Remember, food for home consumption and certain essential personal hygiene products are subject to a 1% sales tax in Virginia. Hot prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco, and foods sold by some vendors (like caterers or food trucks) do not qualify for this reduced rate.
For more information and detailed lists, visit the Virginia Department of Taxation website. Happy shopping, Virginia!
- During the tax-free weekend in Virginia, individuals can save on personal-finance essentials such as energy-saving products and hurricane preparation items since they are tax-exempt, provided they meet the specific price and product guidelines.
- As an added benefit, the Commonwealth of Virginia is offering one-time tax rebates of up to $400 to qualifying residents in the 2025 fiscal year, helping with personal-finance management for many Virginians.
