State tax changes that affect Virginia businesses in 2008 include a new sales tax holiday, a new due date for filing withholding taxes and a new withholding requirement for pass-through entities.  There are also changes to exemptions to the retail sales and use tax.

The state's third sales tax holiday - a new seven-day sales tax exemption period for hurricane preparedness equipment - will take place May 25-31.During this period, purchases of generators selling for $1,000 or less and other equipment selling for $60 or less per item will be exempt from the sales tax. The Virginia Department of Taxation will post guidelines, a list of exempt items, and other information on the agency's Web site by May 15. This "holiday" joins existing sales-tax exemption periods for school supplies and clothing, to take place August 3-5; and for Energy Star products, occurring October 5-8.