Appliance buyers can get tax break
By Staff And Wire Reports
Published in News on November 5, 2009 1:46 PM
Starting at 12:01 a.m. Friday, North Carolina consumers will be able save on selected Energy Star-rated appliances during the state's second annual tax-free weekend.
The sales tax exemption will apply to such home appliances as clothes washers, freezers, refrigerators, central air conditioners, room air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats. Eligible appliances must carry the "Energy Star" label, meaning they meet the energy efficient standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.
And this year consumers' savings will be even larger given the recent 1 percent sales tax increase. In most counties, including Wayne, the sales tax is 7.75 percent.
Fran Preston with the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association said retailers also are planning special sales on the products to coincide with the holiday, which will run until 11:59 p.m. Sunday.
Appliances purchased for use in a trade or business and for rentals are not covered by the exemption. Purchases of qualifying Energy Star products by contractors who will install the products in structures for customers are subject to the tax even when purchased during the holiday.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, by using Energy Star appliances Americans saved enough energy in 2007 to avoid an amount of greenhouse gas emissions equal to the amount released by 27 million cars and Americans also saved $16 billion on their utility bills in 2007.
For additional information, see the N.C. Revenue Department Energy Star tax holiday fact sheet at www.dornc.com/aboutus/education/salestax_holiday_energy_star.pdf.