Aug. 2 marks the start of a three-day sales tax holiday, during which shoppers can buy school supplies, clothing, footwear, hurricane emergency preparedness items and other qualifying purchases without paying Virginia’s 5-7% surcharge.

The holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 2 and ends Aug. 4 at 11:59 p.m.

According to the Virginia Department of Taxation’s website, the following items are eligible:

• School supplies costing $20 or less per item
• Clothing and footwear $100 or less per item
• Portable generators $1,000 or less per item
• Gas-powered chainsaws $350 or less per item
• Chainsaw accessories $60 or less per item
• Other hurricane preparedness items $60 or less per item
• Appliances and other items rated as energy- and water-efficient under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star and WaterSense programs for noncommercial use $2,500 or less per item

Details on qualifying items and information for retailers is available in the state’s online sales tax holiday guidelines.

Virginia’s statewide sales tax rate stands at 5.3% though Hampton Roads localities charge 6% to fund regional transportation projects.