Texans: Need toilets, dishwashers, plants, light bulbs? They’re tax-free May 27-29

Need a new refrigerator or dishwasher? Maybe a new shower head or toilet?

If so, Memorial Day weekend may be just the time to head to the store.

This weekend, there are two sales tax holidays — the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday and the Water Efficient Products Sales Tax Holiday — geared to save energy- or water-efficient Texans some money.

“These sales tax holidays give Texans an opportunity to increase energy efficiency, lower water and utility bills, and save on state and local sales taxes in the process,” said Chris Bryan, a spokesman with the Texas comptroller’s office.

Both holidays run from 12:01 a.m. Saturday, May 27, through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 29.

The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday is geared to let Texans buy, rent or lease energy efficient items such as clothes washers, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, programmable thermostats and incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs.

Air conditioners that cost $6,000 or less and refrigerators that cost $2,000 or less also are eligible for the tax break.

The water-efficient tax holiday lets Texans buy water conservation or water efficient products — such as shower heads, toilets, drip-irrigation hoses and rain barrels — tax free this weekend. Any product marked with a WaterSense label or logo is eligible for a tax-free purchase.

Soil, mulch, compost, plants, grasses and trees are among the eligible tax-free items.

These sales-tax holidays are especially important as the Texas population continues to grow, officials say.

“That growth puts constant pressure on our water and energy infrastructure,” Bryan said. “While we’ve been lucky to emerge from the most recent drought, and we’ve taken steps to modernize water and power systems, individual Texans and Texas businesses can play a big role in reducing waste and inefficiency by upgrading to more energy efficient home appliances and deploying water conserving products, fixtures and equipment.”

There’s no limit on the number of products that can be bought under either tax holiday.

This story was originally published May 19, 2017 at 7:36 PM with the headline "Texans: Need toilets, dishwashers, plants, light bulbs? They’re tax-free May 27-29."