FULL LIST: Texas Tax Free Days for Emergency Supplies

Full list below of the emergency preparation supplies that qualify for tax exemption, during the Texas sales tax holiday April 23 through April 25.

You and your family should always be prepared for emergencies that can cause damage and shut down your normal life – such as hurricanes, flash floods and wildfires. As Texans if we are expecting a hurricane or tropical weather, we usually have a good bit of warning. However, most often there isn’t enough time to assemble all of the necessary supplies, even with a few days notice.

The rule of thumb is to have at least a week’s worth of food, water, and essential supplies in case of a storm hitting directly on the coast.

Coming up on April 23rd at 12:01 through midnight April 25 – you can purchase certain emergency preparation with no sales tax during the sales tax holiday. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, and you do not need to give an exemption certificate to claim the exemption from sales tax.

Emergency Preparation Supplies That Qualify For Tax Exemption

The following emergency supplies all qualify for tax exemption if purchased during the sales tax holiday period.

• Less than $3000
  • Portable generators
• Less than $300
  • Emergency ladders
  • Hurricane shutters
• Less than $75
  • Axes
  • Batteries, single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
  • Can openers – nonelectric
  • Carbon monoxide detectors
  • Coolers and ice chests for food storage – nonelectric
  • Fire extinguishers
  • First aid kits
  • Fuel containers
  • Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
  • Hatchets
  • Ice products – reusable and artificial
  • Light sources – portable self-powered (including battery operated)
    • Examples of items include: candles, flashlights and lanterns
  • Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
  • Radios – portable self-powered (including battery operated) – includes two-way and weather band radios
  • Smoke detectors
  • Tarps and other plastic sheeting

Note: Several over-the-counter self-care items, such as antibacterial hand sanitizer, soap, spray and wipes, are always exempt from sales tax if they are labeled with a “Drug Facts” panel in accordance with federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.

Supplies That do NOT Qualify for Texas Tax Exemption

These supplies do NOT qualify for sales tax exemption:

• Medical masks and face masks
• Cleaning supplies, such as disinfectants and bleach wipes
• Gloves, including leather, fabric, latex and types used in healthcare
• 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

Online Purchase and Phone Orders

During the holiday you can buy qualifying emergency preparation supplies in-store, online, by telephone, mail, custom order, or any other means. The sale of the item must take place during the specific period. The purchase date is easy to determine when the purchase is made in-store but becomes more complicated with remote purchases. The purchaser must have given the consideration for the item during the period even if the item may not be delivered until after the period is over.

For example, if a purchaser enters their credit card information in an online shopping website on Monday April 25, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.to purchase a qualifying generator, but the generator will not be shipped until Friday April 29, 2022 and will not arrive until Tuesday May 3, the purchase will still qualify for the exemption. However, if the charge to credit card is declined by the payment processor at 11:00 p.m. on Monday April 25, 2022 and the purchaser does not resubmit payment until Tuesday April 26, the purchase is taxable.

Additional Charges Affect the Sales Price

Delivery, shipping, handling and transportation charges are part of the sales price. If the emergency preparation supply being purchased is taxable, the delivery charge is also taxable. Consider these charges when determining whether an emergency preparation supply can be purchased tax free during the holiday.

For example, you purchase a rescue ladder for $299 with a $10 delivery charge, for a total sales price of $309. Because the total sales price of the ladder is more than $300, tax is due on the $309 sales price.

Sales Tax Holiday Refund Requests

Purchasers can buy certain emergency preparation supplies tax free during the annual Texas Emergency Supplies Sales Tax Holiday. If you pay sales tax on these items during the sales tax holiday, you can ask the seller for a refund of the tax paid.

If you have additional questions about refund requests, please contact The Texas Comptroller Office at 800-531-5441, ext. 34545, or visit the Sales Tax Refunds web page for further details about filing a refund claim.