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A state sales tax holiday will kick off this weekend for emergency supplies to prepare residents for severe weather such as fires, floods and tornadoes.
A state sales tax holiday will kick off this weekend for emergency supplies to prepare residents for severe weather such as fires, floods and tornadoes.
Eligible items can be purchased tax free during the holiday that will be held from Saturday, April 26 through Monday, April 28. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items that can be purchased during the holiday.
“We can make sure our families, homes and businesses have the supplies they need to face these and other emergencies,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “Don’t wait for disaster to strike. I’m encouraging Texans to take advantage of this tax holiday to save money while stocking up for emergency situations.”
The comptroller’s office estimates that approximately $2.3 million will be saved in state and local sales taxes during the holiday.
Purchases that qualify for an exemption are portable generators under $3,000 and emergency ladders and hurricane shutters under $300.
Additionally, axes, hatchets, batteries, can openers, carbon monoxide detectors, coolers, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, light sources, radios, smoke detectors, tarps and plastic sheeting are also exempt from sales taxes during the holiday.
Purchases that do not qualify for an exemption are toilet paper, clearing supplies, batteries for vehicles and boats, camping stoves and camping supplies, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders and step ladders, tents and replacement parts for emergency preparation supplies.
For purchases made online, delivery, shipping, handing and transportation are part of the sales price. If the emergency preparation supply is taxable, the delivery charge is also taxable.
“For example, if you purchase an emergency ladder online for $299 with a $10 delivery charge, the total sales price is $309. Because the total sales price of the emergency ladder is more than $300, tax is due on the $309 sales price” the comptroller’s office stated in a release.
If a state resident pays sales tax on these items during the holiday, they can ask the seller for a refund on the tax paid.
The seller can either grant the refund or provide the customer with a Form 00-985, Assignment of Right to Refund which allows the purchases to file the refund claim directly with the comptroller’s office.
For more information about refund requests, contact the comptroller’s office at 800-531-5441, ext. 34545, or visit comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/sales/refunds/ for details on filling a refund claim.
