FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – September 29, 2009

Contact: Sen. Tim Golden, 404-656-7580 or tim.golden@senate.ga.gov

Golden reminds residents of Georgia sales tax holidays

VALDOSTA - State Sen. Tim Golden (D-Valdosta) reminds residents of Brooks, Cook, Lowndes and Thomas counties that Georgia’s annual sales tax holiday period for energy- and water-efficient products is scheduled for Oct. 1-4.  

During that four-day period, products with a purchase price of $1,500 or less that have been designated as meeting requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy “Energy Star” programs will be exempt from both state and local sales tax.

Golden, who sponsored Georgia’s original sales tax holiday legislation, said the intent of this period is to help working families with expenses for household necessities, promote the use of environmentally friendly products and provide Georgia retailers with a boost in sales.

The energy-efficient products eligible for the exemption are as follows: air conditioners, ceiling fans, fluorescent light bulbs, clothes washers, dishwashers, windows (including skylights), refrigerators, programmable thermostats, dehumidifiers and doors.

The water-efficient products eligible for the exemption are as follows: bathroom sink faucets or aerators, high-efficiency toilets and flushing urinals.

The exemptions are intended for items purchased for non-commercial home or personal use. The exemptions do not apply to: products not specifically listed above; products with a purchase price over $1,500; products purchased for use in a trade or business; products that are rented or leased; or sales by or to a contractor or retail dealer performing a real property construction contract as a contractor.

For more information, visit the Georgia Department of Revenue web site at www.dor.ga.gov or call 404-417-6601.

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Sen. Tim Golden represents District 8 (Brooks, Cook, Lowndes and Thomas counties) in the Georgia State Senate. During the legislative session, contact him at 121-A State Capitol, Atlanta, Ga. 30334; by phone at 404-656-7580 or by e-mail at tim.golden@senate.ga.gov.