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:
Less than $3,000
Portable generators
Less than $300
Emergency ladders
Hurricane shutters
Less than $75
Axes
Batteries, single or multipack
Nonelectric can openers
Carbon monoxide detectors
Nonelectric coolers and ice chests for food storage
Fire extinguishers
First aid kits
Fuel containers
Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
Hatchets
Reusable and artificial ice products
Light sources
There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase and you do not need to issue an exemption certificate to claim the exemption.
Items that do not qualify: automobile batteries, camping stoves and supplies, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders, stepladders, tents and more.
The sales tax holiday will begin at 12:01 a.m. Saturday April 27 and end at midnight on Monday April 29.
For more information, click here.