Storm holiday eases cost of kit preparation

Hurricane season is approaching and Louisiana residents can stock up on flashlights, batteries, generators, and other storm-related items free of the 4 percent state sales tax during a hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday May 26 and 27.

“With every approaching storm season, we always hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said last week while announcing the holiday. “That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to get a game plan and stock up on supplies now in order to keep our families and property safe in case a storm threatens our coast.”

The sales tax holiday exempts the first $1,500 of a purchase price on items including:

• Self-powered light sources, such as flashlights and candles

• Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, and weather-band radios

• Tarps or other flexible waterproof sheeting

• Ground anchor systems, straps or tie-down kits

• Gas or diesel fuel tanks

• Batteries, sizes AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt, or 9-volt (Automobile batteries and boat batteries are ineligible)

• Cellular phone batteries and chargers

• Non-electric food storage coolers

• Portable generators

• Storm shutter devices (Materials and products manufactured, rated, and marketed specifically for the purposes of preventing window damage from storms)

• Carbon monoxide detectors

• “Blue Ice” (and similar re-usable cooling products)

The 2012 hurricane preparedness sales tax holiday exempts eligible purchases from the 4 percent state sales tax only. Local sales taxes still apply unless specifically exempted by the local taxing jurisdiction.

The state sales tax holiday does not apply to purchases at airports, public lodging establishments, hotels, convenience stores or entertainment complexes.

For a full explanation of sales tax holiday provisions visit www.revenue.louisiana.gov/hurricaneprep