ELECTRIC HOLIDAY: Energy Star tax-free weekend begins

HIGH POINT, Nov 04, 2009 (High Point Enterprise - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- HD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Consumers who want to go green and purchase environmentally-friendly products will be given an incentive to do so this weekend.

The state will hold its second annual Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday where home improvement stores, including Lowe's and Home Depot, will suspend sales tax on Energy Star appliances. The 7.75 percent tax will be suspended Friday-Sunday.

"The savings are the biggest reason to come out," said John Butte, an appliance specialist with Lowe's on N. Main Street, "but the biggest benefit of Energy Star appliances is that they obviously save energy for all of us."

The exemption applies to numerous appliances that carry the Energy Star seal, given to products that meet energy guidelines set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. Appliances include washers, refrigerators, heat pumps, ceiling fans and more, according to a list provided by the North Carolina Department of Revenue.

Yellow labels identify each Energy Star appliance at Lowe's, which is focusing on Energy Star refrigerators, washers and freezers. The amount of money an Energy Star appliance can save depends on what a shopper is looking for, according to Butte. An Energy Star washer can save about $50 a year on an energy bill, not including water savings, and an Energy Star refrigerator can save about $150 a year, he said.

Because the first Energy Star Sales Tax holiday, held last November, was so successful for the store, Butte said an additional 10 percent off the appliances will be offered this weekend.

"We've beefed up our staff for this event," he said. "The tax exemption may not be the determining factor in whether someone buys a new refrigerator, but it will bring more people out."

phaynes@hpe.com -- 888-3617

QUALIFYING PURCHASES

Purchases must be "for immediate delivery" to qualify for the tax exemption:

--The actual delivery can occur after the holiday period, which runs Nov. 6-8.

--Deliveries delayed because of a backlog order or because the item is currently unavailable to the seller or on back order are still eligible for the exemption during the holiday.

--If the customer requests delayed shipment, it is not exempt from sales tax.

Purchases by businesses are not exempt:

--Items purchased for use in a trade or business are not covered by the exemption and are subject to applicable sales tax. For example, a general contractor who purchases qualifying products to install the products in structures for customers will not qualify.

--Rentals also aren't exempt.

Call the Taxpayer Assistance and Collections Center at 1-877-252-3052 for questions regarding the tax exemption.

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