Important Notice: Disaster Assistance Sales and Use Tax Exemptions

This document serves as notice that on October 14, 2016, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued special disaster rules granting a waiver for hot foods purchased with SNAP EBT benefits through November 14, 2016. The special disaster rules provide, in part, that “[d]ue to the floods and severe storms caused by Hurricane Matthew, and effective immediately, retail food stores licensed by the Food and Nutrition Service to accept SNAP benefits in the State of North Carolina may accept SNAP benefits in exchange for HOT foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises.” The special rules are in effect through November 14, 2016 and apply to purchases of hot foods in all 100 counties.