At their meeting on April 14, 2020, the Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) unanimously voted to approve a special sales tax exemption for companies that produce Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for first responders and doctors, such as face masks, face shields and hand sanitizer, to be used during the Coronavirus crisis.
The COVID-19 Sales Tax Relief Program applies to the purchase of new construction supplies, electrical connections, shelving and distribution equipment. The exemption is up to $100,000 of sales taxes that would have otherwise been due on such purchases. The purchase of raw materials and production equipment are not included in this program, as they are already exempt from sales tax for manufacturers.
The program runs for one year and is effective immediately as an incentive for businesses to produce much-needed PPE during the pandemic.
