Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Hurricane Supply Tax Holiday

Here's some good news from Baton Rouge. On May 24 and 25, there will be a statewide tax holiday on hurricane preparation supplies, up to $1,500 in purchases. The state bulletin can be read here.

These items will have the tax exemption:
- portable self-powered light source
- portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather band radio
- tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting
- any ground anchor system or tie-down kit
- any gas or diesel fuel tank
- any package of AAA-cell, AA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries
- any cell phone battery and any cell phone charger
- any non-electric food storage cooler
- any portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage
- any “storm shutter device”
- any carbon monoxide detector
- any blue ice product

Note that the tax exemption is only on the state tax and not the local tax. Items can be purchased anywhere except any airport, public lodging establishment or hotel, convenience store, or entertainment complex.

I know we could be better prepared for the upcoming hurricane season, and anyway we always need batteries and flashlights.