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Tax-free holiday weekend in Georgia and Virginia for appliance buyers

October 5, 2012

If you live in Georgia or Virginia and need a new washer, refrigerator or dishwasher, you are in luck.

Energy Star certified appliance

When you buy a new energy-efficient appliance this weekend to replace your
dilapidated one, you won't owe any state or local sales tax on the
machine.

Heck, while you're at it, you might as well redo your bathroom while
you're at it. Fixtures that use less water also are sales tax free in
the Old Dominion and the Peach State this weekend.


WaterSense_Faucet_click_for_more_info_on_WaterSense_products

In general, both Georgia and Virginia tax collectors are waiving the sales taxes on certain products that carry the Energy Star and WaterSense designations.


This includes not only the aforementioned appliances, but also air conditioners, ceiling fans and dehumidifiers on the appliance side.

As for reduced water upgrades, look for approved bathroom sink faucets and accessories, showerheads and low-flow toilets and urinals.

Deadlines and other details: In addition to meeting the energy- and water-saving requirements, remember that your purchases must be for your home, not a business or investment property.

To qualify as tax-free in Virginia each product must cost $2,500 or less.

The tax-free sales period runs through Monday, Oct. 8.

You can find additional information at the Virginia Department of Taxation's special October sales tax holiday Web page.

In Georgia, you must make your eligible purchases by Sunday, Oct. 7.

The product price cannot be more than $1,500 per item, but the Peach State does have a slightly larger tax-exempt list.

You can find details at the Georgia Department of Revenue's special energy-efficient product sales tax holiday page, as well as its memo (page 2) with more on the October event.

Do you/have you ever put off purchases until your state's sales tax holiday rolled around? I usually avoid anything that creates more shopping congestion, but I might make an exception for sales tax savings on big purchase like these.

You also might find these items of interest:

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The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

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TAX-SAVVY WAYS 
TO WRAP UP 2026

It’s over! With October’s extended filing deadline behind us, it is now time to focus on year-end moves to reduce your 2026 tax bill. 

You’ll find ways to do just that on the Tax Tips page (see the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of the blog), as well as the separate tax tip pages for each month, notably October through December. If you’re on the Tax Tips page, you’ll find a monthly list at the end of this column. If you’re on another blog page, you can head straight to the October tips; at the bottom of that tips page you’ll find links to all the other 11 months’ collections of tax advice.

Not to spoil what you’ll find in that tax advice, but it does cover such things as tax deductions for charitable donations, investment moves that could reduce tax due, and ways to max out your tax-favored retirement savings. 

Finally, as the year winds down, things get hectic. There are lots of other things to occupy our time, like the much more fun upcoming holidays. But don’t lose sight of taxes, since timing is key. To be of use, most tax moves must be made by the end of the tax year. That’s Thursday, Dec. 31, which also is the last business day of the year. 

So that you don’t miss that final tax year deadline, also keep an eye on the countdown clock below. It will keep you on top of just how much time is left to make important, tax-saving moves. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

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