State offers tax break on storm supply purchases

The state's annual sales tax holiday for purchases of hurricane preparedness supplies is set for Saturday and Sunday.

Hurricane season starts Monday. The 4% state sales tax is waived for hurricane-preparedness purchases made from 12:01 a.m. Saturday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday. Local and municipal sales taxes must still be paid, according to the state Department of Revenue.

The sales tax exemption applies to the first $1,500 worth of items sold. Eligible items include:
—Portable generators
—Flashlights and candles
—Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios and weather band radios
—Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting
—Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
—Gas or diesel fuel tanks
—Batteries of various sizes (auto and boat batteries are excluded)
—Cellular phone batteries and chargers
—Non-electric food storage coolers
—Storm shutter devices specifically rated for preventing wind-blown damage from storms
—Carbon monoxide detectors

The tax holiday does not extend to items purchased at airports, hotels, convenience stores or entertainment complexes.

For more information, go to the Department of Revenue Web site here.

La. shoppers to get a sales tax holiday

Louisiana shoppers will get a break on the cost of certain hurricane-preparedness supplies next month when the Louisiana Department of Revenue plans a sales-tax holiday.

The two-day holiday is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31.

On those days, consumers will not have to pay the state sales tax on the first $1,500 of a range of storm-preparation items, including self-powered light sources like flashlights and candles; portable self-powered radios; batteries; portable generators; and cell phone batteries and chargers.