Qualifying Energy Star products will be exempt from sales and use tax when purchased between 12:01 a.m. on the first Friday in November and 11:59 p.m. the following Sunday. For 2009, the dates are Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8.

An "Energy Star qualified product" is "a product that meets the energy efficient guidelines set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Energy and is authorized to carry the Energy Star label." Clothes washers, freezers, refrigerators, central air conditioners, room air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, geothermal heat pumps, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats will be exempt from state and local sales and use tax when purchased during the sale tax holiday period. There is no threshold as is the case with items sold during the August sales tax holiday for clothing, school supplies, computers, etc.

Items purchased for use in a trade or business and rentals are not covered by the exemption and will be subject to the applicable tax. Purchases of qualifying Energy Star products by contractors who will affix or install the products in structures for customers are considered to be purchases of products for use in a trade or business and will be subject to tax even when purchased during the holiday.

For the purpose of the sales tax holiday for Energy Star qualified products, an item is eligible for the exemption if the customer pays for the item and the retailer accepts the order and takes an action to fill the order for immediate delivery. The delivery can occur after the holiday period. An order is for immediate delivery notwithstanding that the shipment may be delayed because of a backlog or order or because stock is currently unavailable to, or on back order by, the seller. An order is not for immediate delivery if the customer requests delayed shipment.

October is Energy Awareness Month. For more information on energy conservation tips for your home, contact your local North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Caldwell County Center, call Deborah L. Cox, Family & Consumer Science Agent, at 757-1257, or visit the Web site at http://caldwell.ces.ncsu.edu.

(Information courtesy of the North Carolina Department of Revenue Web site http://www.dornc.com/taxes/sales/energystar_holiday.html)