Guns, Appliances, and Storm Supplies: 2013 Sales Tax Holidays
From Alabama to Virginia, nine states will offer sales tax exemptions on firearms, energy-efficient products, or emergency supplies this year. We've broken down what's discounted where and when.
Some states offer sales tax exemptions for back-to-school supplies and clothing every summer, but that’s not the only type of sales tax holiday.
Throughout the year, some states exempt Energy Star appliances or WaterSense products, with the first of these sales tax holidays happening in Maryland this weekend. In time for hurricane season, some coastal states exempt emergency supplies like batteries and self-powered flashlights and portable radios. A couple of states even exempt hunting supplies, including firearms.
If you live in one of the states below, mark the dates on your calendar and check the relevant website to learn exactly which items qualify for a sales tax exemption.
| State | Date | Exemption | Details |
| Alabama | Feb. 22 – 24 | Severe-weather preparedness supplies | Website |
| Georgia* | TBD | Energy Star and WaterSense products | Website |
| Louisiana | May 25 – 26 | Hurricane preparedness supplies | Website |
| Louisiana | Sept. 6 – 8 | Firearms, ammunition, and hunting supplies | Website |
| Maryland | Feb. 16 – 18 | Energy Star products | Website |
| Missouri | April 19 – 25 | Energy Star products | Website |
| North Carolina | Nov. 1 – 3 | Energy Star products | Website |
| South Carolina** | TBD | Energy Star and WaterSense products | Website |
| South Carolina | Nov. 29 – 30 | Handguns, rifles, and shotguns | Website |
| Texas | May 25 – 27 | Energy Star products | Website |
| Virginia | May 25 – 31 | Hurricane and emergency preparedness equipment | Website |
| Virginia | Oct. 11 – 14 | Energy Star and WaterSense products | Website |
*Georgia offered this exemption in October last year but has yet to announce 2013 dates, so check their website when October nears.
**South Carolina just reinstated its sales tax holiday for energy-efficient products last year (October) and has yet to announce 2013 dates.
Subscribe by email
Like this article? Sign up for our email updates and we’ll send you a regular digest of our newest stories, full of money saving tips and advice, free! We’ll also email you a PDF of Stacy Johnson’s ’205 Ways to Save Money’ as soon as you’ve subscribed. It’s full of great tips that’ll help you save a ton of extra cash. It doesn’t cost a dime, so why wait? Click here to sign up now.
