Hurricane season is only a month away. Prepare now during the state’s emergency preparation supplies sales tax holiday April 28-30. The holiday was declared by Texas State Comptroller Glenn Hegar.
“The severe weather we had last year — particularly Hurricane Harvey — was a stark reminder that Texans should be prepared for emergencies at all times,” Hegar said. “This tax holiday allows people to save money while ensuring they have the supplies they need before an emergency situation occurs.”
Qualifying items include:
• less than $3,000 — portable generators;
• less than $300 — emergency ladders, hurricane shutters;
• less than $75 — axes and hatchets; batteries; non-electric can openers; carbon monoxide and smoke detectors; non-electric coolers and ice chests; fire extinguishers; first-aid kits; fuel containers; ground anchor systems and tie-down kits; reusable and artificial ice products; portable, self-powered radios, including two-way and weather band; tarps and other plastic sheeting; mobile telephone batteries and chargers; portable, self-powered light sources.
Some items do not qualify, including: camping stoves and supplies, chain saws, plywood, extension ladders, stepladders, tents, repair or maintenance of emergency preparation supplies. Also, batteries for automobiles, boats, and other motorized vehicles are not tax-exempt.
Delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are included in the sale price, which could knock the item out of the sales tax-exempt category. If the total price of the item, after those charges are added on, is over the stated prices of the items above then the item does not qualify for an exemption.
More details on eligible items can be found on the State Comptroller’s web site at comptroller.texas.gov.
Shoppers are expected to save more than $1.5 million in state and local sales taxes during the holiday, according to the Comptroller’s Office.
Hurricane season in the Atlantic begins June 1 and ends Nov. 30.