In preparation of hurricane season, Virginia is giving consumers a break on sales tax for certain items.
Governor McDonnell announced that from May 25-31 is Virginia's Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. According to a news release, shoppers can purchase essential items without paying the 5 percent state and local sales tax.
Hurricane season begins June 1.
There are 22 categories of smaller items, including batteries, flashlights, bottled water, tarps, duct tape, cell-phone chargers, smoke detectors and first aid kits. To see a complete list of tax-exempt items, click here.
Virginia has two other sales tax holidays -- one for school supplies and clothing in August, and one for Energy Star and WaterSense products in October.
