Tax-free weekend is nearly here in Texas. Here’s what to shop
Texas has a couple of weekends throughout the year when certain items are tax-free.
This weekend, from Saturday, April 25 to midnight Monday, April 27, is Texas’ emergency preparation supplies sales tax holiday. The holiday is tied to preparation for natural disasters over the year, including hurricanes, tornadoes or wildfires.
Shoppers can buy tax-free items in a variety of ways, whether online, in stores or by telephone. For online and telephone orders, the item has to be paid for by the customer during the exemption period, but can be delivered past this weekend.
The tax-free holiday starts at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, April 25, and ends at midnight Monday, April 27. If shoppers need 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 as tax-free 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 multipacks)
- 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 weatherproof)
- Smoke detectors
- Tarps and other plastic sheeting
Certain self-care items are always exempt from sales tax if they’re labeled with a “Drug Facts” panel such as antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, spray and wipes.
What’s not tax-free?
While several items are tax-free during the weekend, there are several supplies that are not, such as:
- Medical masks and face masks
- Cleaning supplies, such as disinfectants and bleach wipes
- Gloves, including leather, fabric and latex
- 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
What should be in your disaster kit?
The Texas Department of State Health Services recommends that every home should have a disaster supply kit.
Several items that should be in a disaster kit will be tax-free this weekend, including:
- First-aid kit
- Batteries
- Phone charger
- Flashlights
- Radio
- Smoke detector
- Fire extinguisher
- Tarps
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 on how to create an emergency plan.
