Sales tax holiday for emergency supplies April 27-29
Purchase emergency preparation supplies tax free April 27-29. The Texas tax holiday weekend starts at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and runs through Monday.
“Fires, tornadoes and other severe weather conditions can strike at any time, so it is important that families, homes and businesses have the supplies they need to face these and other emergencies,” said Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar in a media release. “There is no sense in waiting for disaster to strike. I’m encouraging Texans to take advantage of this tax holiday to save money while stocking up for emergency situations.”
The Comptroller’s Office estimates shoppers will save about $2.1 million in state and local sales taxes during the tax holiday, which was approved by the Texas Legislature in 2015.
There’s no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase. These include:
- household batteries, fuel containers, and flashlights priced less than $75
- hurricane shutters and emergency ladders priced less than $300
- portable generators priced less than $3,000
For online purchases, note that delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are part of the sales price. If the emergency preparation item being purchased is taxable, the delivery charge is also taxable. For example, if you purchase an emergency ladder online for $299 with a $10 delivery charge, the total sales price is $309. Because that is more than $300, tax is due.
Purchases that do not qualify during the tax-free weekend include:
- batteries for automobiles, boats and other motorized vehicles
- camping stoves and camping supplies
- tents
- chainsaws
- plywood
- extension ladders and stepladders
A list of emergency preparation supplies that may be purchased tax free can be found on the Texas Comptroller’s website.