Emergency Preparation Supplies sales tax holiday will be held this weekend

Posted: Apr 24, 2019 / 08:01 PM CDT

Updated: Apr 26, 2019 / 06:05 PM CDT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The State of Texas will hold an Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday this weekend, giving Texans the chance to stock up on essentials.

“I know the weather’s good and people aren’t thinking about bad weather, but as you know, a couple of weeks ago, the Cap10K was rained out for the first time in its history, a lot of people are still getting out over Hurricane Harvey,” Kevin Lyons, a spokesperson for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, said. “We know this is the time of year where there’s potential for severe weather.”

Since 2016, the first year when Texans could take advantage of this sales tax holiday, until now, the Texas Comptroller’s office estimates Texans saved just a little more than $5 million. This year, it’s expected Texans will save around $1.6 million.

“It’s never too late to be thinking about emergency supplies you need,” Lyons said.

Callahan’s General Store in Austin is prepared for customers to come in and purchase these items.

“Whether it’s a first aid kit or whether it’s a tarp, whatever it may be, these emergency items are necessary to have around your household whether you’re living in an apartment or living out in the country,” Charley Wilson, president & CEO of Callahan’s General Store, said. “At Callahan’s and other places like ours, we have these items available and this weekend is a great weekend to take advantage of the tax-free status.”

Wilson said light sources, batteries and axes can make an immediate, short-term difference when people are faced with an emergency.

“Think in terms of maybe a power outage,” he said. “If we have a thunderstorm that comes through that knocks power out for a short period of time or even a longer period of time if it’s nighttime, lamps are certainly important to have around.”

Emergency preparation supplies that will qualify for tax exemption include: