Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced on April 16 that Texans will be able to purchase certain emergency preparation supplies without paying sales tax during the state’s Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday. The event begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 27.
The annual tax holiday aims to help residents prepare for severe weather by making it more affordable to stock up on essential items. According to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, shoppers are expected to save about $2.4 million in state and local sales taxes during this period.
“There’s no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase,” Hancock said. She also noted the importance of readiness: “From hailstorms to hurricanes, Texans know the importance of being prepared when bad weather hits. This sales tax holiday provides a great opportunity to stock up on supplies and save a little money while you’re at it.”
Qualifying purchases include various emergency preparation supplies, though specific exclusions apply. For online purchases, delivery, shipping, handling and transportation charges are considered part of the total sales price; if these charges push an item over its price threshold for exemption—for example, a portable generator purchased online for $2,999 with a $50 delivery charge—the full amount may become taxable if it exceeds $3,000.
A complete list of eligible items is available through the Texas Comptroller’s website. The Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday was established by legislation approved in 2015.
