Danette O'Neal, PhD

Which States Offer Sales Tax Holiday for Energy-Efficiency, Hurricane Products?

A handful of states let you skip the sales tax when you buy energy-efficient appliances or hurricane-preparation supplies during tax holiday periods. Time your home energy-efficiency improvements or hurricane preparation purchases right and you can avoid paying state sales tax. At least a half-dozen states offer tax holidays to home owners who purchase energy-efficient appliances, water-efficient products, or hurricane preparation supplies.

Georgia’s sales tax holiday: When: Oct. 5-7, 2012; What: Exempts energy- and water-efficient products that cost $1,500 or less from its 7% sales tax. That includes a dishwasher, clothes washer, air conditioner, ceiling fan, CFL bulb, dehumidifier, programmable thermostat, refrigerator, door, or window that meets Energy Star or WaterSense standards.

Louisiana’s sales tax holiday: When: Aug. 3-4, 2012; What: Lets you skip the state’s 4% sales tax on the first $2,500 in purchases on individual items of “tangible personal property not for business use.” A TPP is literally something you can touch and take. And it’s not just energy-efficient appliances and hurricane prep, but almost anything you’d buy for your home.