New Orleans 1st Logo
Sign-Up for our Newsletter & Text Updates

Louisiana Disater Recovery

Section: Business

1. Louisiana, My Heart, My Home, an initiative of the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, reports on "People First" Emergency Grant Convening.

2. Louisiana Department of Revenue announces 2009 Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday!

1. Louisiana, My Heart, My Home, an initiative of LDRF, hosted its first "People First Emergency Grant Convening" in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Louisisana, My Heart, My Home is a statewide awareness and fund development initiative designed to prepare communities to give together and live together in and out of times of disaster.

The purpose of the convening was to discuss lessons learned from the experiences of hurricanes Gustav and Ike, assess nonprofit readiness for the 2009 hurricane season, and share strategies to increase the capacity of our nonprofit partners respond to potential hurricane threats during the 2009 hurricane season. Exemplary of LDRF's experience and leadership in disaster preparedness and community development, this convening is a continuation of LDRF's mission to improve resilience across Louisiana's most vulnerable communities and to inform the evolution of disaster response and preparedness in both the philanthropic and public sectors.

To learn more about My Heart, My Home, please visit: http://www.louisianahelp.org/LouisianaMyHeartMyHome.html

2. LDRF is pleased to remind its Louisiana neighbors that the Louisiana Department of Revenue has designated this weekend as the Hurricane Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday. The holiday starts on Saturday, May 30 and ends Sunday, May 31. This tax holiday is a great opportunity for all of us to take charge of our preparedness plans. Please see details from the LA Department of Revenue below concerning eligible purchases and guidelines for the holiday.

From the La. Dept. of Revenue:

"The 2009 Louisiana Hurricane Sales Tax Holiday will take place on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31. On these two days, shoppers can purchase specified emergency supplies free of the four-percent state sales tax in preparation for the 2009 hurricane season, which begins on June 1. Act 429 of the 2007 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature enacted R.S. 47:305.58 to provide for an annual state sales tax holiday on sales of hurricane-preparedness items or supplies made on the last Saturday and Sunday of each May.

During the two-day holiday, tax-free purchases are allowed for the first $1,500 of the sales price of each of the following items:

* Self-powered light sources, such as flashlights and candles

* Portable self-powered radios, two-way radios, and weather-band radios

* Tarpaulins or other flexible waterproof sheeting

* Ground anchor systems or tie-down kits

* Gas or diesel fuel tanks

* Batteries AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt or 9-volt (automobile batteries and boat batteries are not eligible)

* Cellular phone batteries and chargers

* Non-electric food storage coolers

* Portable generators

* Storm shutter devices: materials and products manufactured, rated, and marketed specifically for the purposes of preventing window damage from storms (La. R.S. 47:305.58).

* Carbon monoxide detectors

* Blue ice products

Conditions for Exemption: The following activities will be eligible during the two days of each annual holiday for the sales tax exemption:

* buying and accepting delivery of eligible hurricane-preparedness items or supplies

* placing eligible items or supplies on layaway

* making final payment on and withdrawing eligible items or supplies previously placed on layaway

* ordering an eligible item for immediate delivery, even if delivery must be delayed, provided that the customer has not requested delayed shipment.

Special Provisions:the Act provides that:

* The exemption is allowed on both inputs to and withdrawals from layaway

* Purchases of eligible items or supplies during the holiday with "rain checks" issued before the holiday are eligible for exemption, but purchases after the holiday with "rain checks" issued during the holiday are not eligible for exemption.

* Orders for immediate shipment are eligible for exemption even if the shipment is after the holiday, provided that the customer does not request delayed shipment.

* The post-holiday exchange of merchandise to effectuate changes in size, color, or correction of defects does not create a tax liability, but exchanges after the holiday for dissimilar items will be considered the purchase of new property on which the sales tax will be payable.

* For a 60-day period after the holiday, dealers who issue refund or credit for the return of merchandise that was eligible for sales tax exemption during the holiday can issue refund or credit for the state sales tax on that returned merchandise only if the customers returning the property have receipts showing that the tax was actually paid on the original purchases, or the dealers are otherwise able to document that the state sales tax was paid on the original purchases.

The sales tax holiday will not extend to hurricane-preparedness items or supplies purchased at any airport, public lodging establishment or hotel, convenience store, or entertainment complex."

Yours in safety and community,

Flozell Daniels, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation

4354 South Sherwood Forest, Suite 200

Baton Rouge, LA 70818

http://www.louisianahelp.org/

“Louisiana’s Fund for Louisiana’s People”

More Articles