To the editor:

Virginias annual energy and water efficiency sales tax holiday begins Friday, October 9, and runs through Monday, October 12. During this four-day period, customers will not be charged the 5-percent state and local retail sales tax on Energy Star and WaterSense qualified products purchased for non-commercial use that cost $2,500 or less. The exempt Energy Star items include dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, air conditioners, ceiling fans, compact fluorescent light bulbs and programmable thermostats carrying the Energy Star designation. The exempt WaterSense items include bathroom sink faucets, faucet accessories and toilets.

This is the kind of targeted tax incentive that can encourage people to invest in readily available consumer technologies that ultimately protect the environment by reducing demand for electricity and water. Not only is this a win-win for Virginia consumers, businesses and the environment, it will also give our local retailers a boost by drawing in people from D.C. and Maryland.

More information about exempt items, along with guidelines for the sales tax holiday and a set of frequently asked questions are available on the Tax Departments Sales Tax Holiday Information Center at www.tax.virginia.gov.

Del. David Englin,
45th District