AUSTIN, Texas —
With severe weather season moving into full swing, Texans have the opportunity to purchase emergency supplies at retailers across the state without having to pay taxes on those items. The Emergency Supplies Sales Tax Holiday Weekend starts on Saturday, April 27 and ends on Monday, April 29.
In 2015, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 905, which established Emergency Supplies Sales Tax Holiday Weekend to encourage Texans to purchase supplies that will help them prepare for dangerous and even life-threatening events such as spring storms and wildfires that impact people throughout the state each year.
Visit the Texas Comptroller’s website for more information on qualifying purchases and more details on Emergency Supplies Sales Tax Holiday Weekend.
Products that qualify for exemption:
Less than $3000
- Portable generators
Less than $300
- Emergency ladders
- Hurricane shutters
Less than $75
- Axes
- Batteries, single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6-volt or 9-volt)
- Can openers - nonelectric
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Coolers and ice chests for food storage – nonelectric
- Fire extinguishers
- First aid kits
- Fuel containers
- Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
- Hatchets
- Ice products - reusable and artificial
- Light sources - portable self-powered (including battery operated)
- Examples of items include: candles, flashlights and lanterns
- Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
- Radios - portable self-powered (including battery operated) - includes two-way and weather band radios
- Smoke detectors
- Tarps and other plastic sheeting
Products that DO NOT qualify for tax exemption:
- Medical masks and face masks
- Cleaning supplies, such as disinfectants and bleach wipes
- Gloves, including leather, fabric, latex and types used in healthcare
- Toilet paper
- Batteries for automobiles, boats and other motorized vehicles
- Camping stoves
- Camping supplies
- Chainsaws
- Plywood
- Extension ladders
- Stepladders
- Tents
- Repair or replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies
- Services performed on, or related to, emergency preparation supplies