Firearms, ammunition and hunting gear exempt from both state and local sales tax
For the fifth consecutive year, hunters and outdoor enthusiasts across the state can participate in the Louisiana Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday this Friday through Sunday, Sept. 6-8.
Byron Henderson, press secretary for the Louisiana Department of Revenue, said the three-day event provides an exemption from both the 4-percent state sales tax as well as all local sales taxes on individual consumer purchases of firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies.
According to the revenue department’s Web site, there is no limit on the amount of purchases that qualify for the exemption. For a detailed list of both eligible and ineligible items for this weekend, click here.
“We bring in extra people and we’re open on Sunday, which is something we don’t normally do,” said Jim Brown, the buying director and purchasing agent for Bowie Outfitters on Perkins Road in Baton Rouge. “It’s a really big weekend for us. It saves the consumers some money and allows us to get a jump start on fourth quarter sales.”
Unlike the Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday in May and the General Sales Tax Holiday in August, which only apply to the 4-percent state sales tax, Henderson said all local sales taxes also will be exempted this weekend.
“That is the main distinction between this one and the other two sales tax holidays we have throughout the year,” he said. “The savings will vary depending on where you shop because different local taxing authorities have different percentages of taxes.”
The Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday was created by the Louisiana Legislature in 2009, and always occurs on the first consecutive Friday through Sunday in September, Henderson said.
Brown said at Bowie Outfitters, every item in the store will be exempt from both state and local sales tax, even if it’s not covered by the tax holiday legislation.
“We do everything in the store. The hunting and fishing, the whole shooting match,” Brown said. “It’s easier for us, because we can set our registers for no tax. On the items not specifically covered by the law, we cover it ourselves”
