Comptroller Franchot urges Marylanders to shop tax-free and protect the environment with ENERGY STAR appliances through Monday
ANNAPOLIS, MD. - Comptroller Peter Franchot reminds Marylanders they can save the environment and their hard-earned dollars during Shop Maryland Energy Weekend, which runs this weekend, February 19-21.
The following appliances bearing the ENERGY STAR label, purchased in-store or online, will be exempt from the state’s six percent sales tax: air conditioners, washers and dryers, standard-size refrigerators, furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, compact fluorescent light bulbs (not LED), dehumidifiers and programmable thermostats. Solar water heaters are tax-exempt year-round.
“This is a great time to replace those outdated and power-consuming appliances with something more modern and eco-friendly,” Comptroller Franchot said. “In addition to the tax-free promotion this weekend, many manufacturers, retailers and utility companies offer additional deals. Plus, ENERGY STAR products generate big savings on your utility bills for years to come.”
The Comptroller urges Marylanders to make their purchases at locally-owned retailers that count on these sales during an otherwise slow time of year.
To receive the ENERGY STAR label, a product must meet strict standards for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In 2018, ENERGY STAR-certified products helped consumers save 200 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, avoid $35 billion in energy costs, and achieve 150 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.
The tax-free weekend for energy-efficient appliances began in 2011 and its impact has grown ever since. It's estimated the state loses $800,000 in direct tax revenue on the purchase of ENERGY STAR products, but additional sales on other taxable products generates unanticipated tax dollars while the environmental impact carries massive financial benefits.
