Tax Free Holiday This Weekend

Tax-free holiday

GENERAL ITEMS: Vermont’s 6 percent sales tax and local option sales taxes will be lifted Saturday and Sunday for nonbusiness purchases of less than $2,000 per item. Vermont does not have a sales tax on food and clothes, so those items are unaffected. Automobiles will continue to be charged the purchase and use tax. Meals-and-rooms tax on prepared food and lodging remains in place.

Other items that are not eligible for the sales-tax holiday include telecommunications charges, season passes for ski resorts and amusement charges.

ENERGY STAR APPLIANCES: Sales tax will be exempt July 14-18 on appliances with an Energy Star label purchased for personal use and priced less than $2,000. Other Energy Star products such as doors and windows are not included.

FOOD DRIVE: The Vermont Grocers Association and Vermont Retail Association are promoting a food drive in conjunction with the sales-tax holiday, asking shoppers to donate nonperishable food items that will be donated to local food shelves.

INFORMATION: The state is promoting the holiday at www.taxfreevt.com and has information about what qualifies at www.state.vt.us/tax/index.shtml. For a list of food drive participants, visit the Vermont Grocers Association at www.vtgrocers.org.