Emergency prep supplies are tax free in Texas this weekend. Here’s what you can buy
Texans have a chance to stock up on some essential household supplies without paying as much as 8.25% in sales tax.
The weekend of April 23-25 is the emergency preparation supplies sales tax holiday in Texas, when residents can purchase certain items tax-free. The holiday is tied to preparation for natural disasters over the year such as hurricanes, tornadoes or wildfires.
Shoppers can buy tax-free items in a variety of ways, whether that be online purchases, telephone orders or in stores. For online and telephone orders, the item has to be both delivered to and paid for by the customer during the exemption period.
The tax-free holiday starts at 12:01 a.m. on April 23 and ends at midnight on April 25. In the event of needing a refund or other help, the Texas Comptroller recommends calling 800-252-5555 for assistance.
Tax-free items available to purchase in Texas
Items that qualify for no sales tax have price caps.
Portable generators less than $3,000 are tax-exempt, as are emergency ladders (not extension ladders) and hurricane shutters under $300. Items purchased for less than $75 that qualify include:
- Axes and hatchets
- Batteries (single or multi-packs)
- Can openers (nonelectric)
- Carbon monoxide detectors
- Coolers and ice chests for food storage
- Fire extinguishers
- First-aid kits
- Fuel containers
- Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
- Ice products (reusable and artificial)
- Light sources (candles, flashlights, lanterns, etc.)
- Phone chargers
- Radios (including two-way and weather)
- Smoke detectors
- Tarps and other plastic sheeting
What’s not tax-free?
Several items in demand during the COVID-19 pandemic are not tax-free, including face masks, cleaning supplies and gloves.
Other items that do not qualify for tax-exemption are toilet paper, car batteries, tents or camping stoves and supplies. Also not on the tax-free list: chainsaws and plywood. A full list of what’s tax-free (or isn’t) is here.
What should be in your disaster kit?
Every home should have a disaster supply kit, recommends the Texas Department of State Health Services. Several items that should be in your kit will be tax-free April 23-25.
Top of the list is at least a three-day supply of food, plus a gallon of water per day per person or pet. Also:
First aid, medication and hygiene supplies
Batteries, chargers, flashlights, a radio, a whistle, matches/lighter.
Car evacuation supplies, including road maps
Emergency documents such as IDs, insurance, wills, financial statements, phone numbers, photos of each family member and proof of where you live.
The disaster supply items are meant to be stored in a portable container or backpack for easy access during an emergency. A full list of checklist items can be found here, along with safety videos and how to create an emergency plan.
This story was originally published March 23, 2022 at 1:53 PM.
