Virginia Tax-Free Weekend 2016 for School Supplies, Energy Saving Appliances and Storm Prep Items

Once divided into three tax-free weekends, Virginia's sales tax holidays have been collected into one weekend of deals.

Virginia's sales tax holiday runs from Aug. 5-7, 2016. It arrives as back-to-school shopping reaches its peak, particularly for college students. Other tax-free items this weekend include energy-saving appliances and storm preparedness tools, with hurricane season ramping up.

State taxes are waived on purchases in stores, online and by mail or phone, according to the Virginia Department of Taxation.

With a $20 cap per item, school supplies can include the standards: pencils, chalk, binders, crayons, etc. It also includes unique items you don't typically find on the supply list, including compasses, musical instruments, paints and globes.

School clothing and shoes is capped at $100 per item. It includes jeans, shorts, shirts, underwear, uniforms, gym outfits, formal wear, bathing suits and more. The list also includes accessories like belts, bandanas and ear muffs.

Notable exceptions that are not tax free this weekend: athletic wear and sports equipment.

Here's the general list of tax-free items:

School supplies and clothing:

• School supplies that are $20 or less per item
• Clothing and shoes that are $100 or less per item
• Detailed list of school supplies, clothing and footwear

Hurricane and Emergency Preparedness Items:

• Portable generators - $1,000 or less per item
• Gas-powered chainsaws - $350 or less per item
• Chainsaw accessories - $60 or less per item
• Other specified hurricane preparedness items with a sales price of $60 or less per item
• Detailed list of hurricane preparedness items

Energy Star and WaterSense Items:
Qualifying items carrying either the Energy Star or WaterSense label with a sales price of $2,500 or less purchased for noncommercial home or personal use.

• Qualifying Energy Star items include dishwashers, clothes washers, air conditioners, ceiling fans, light bulbs, dehumidifiers, and refrigerators
• Qualifying WaterSense items include bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories such as aerators and shower heads, toilets, urinals, and landscape irrigation controllers
• Detailed list of Energy Star and WaterSense items

Photo by Greg Hambrick