NewsLocal News

Actions

Emergency Preparation Supplies sales tax free weekend 

Posted at 7:19 AM, Apr 26, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-26 08:27:51-04

It’s a good time to get prepared for the worst. This weekend you can get many of your emergency supplies tax free.

Stores across South Texas like Home Depot are getting ready to help residents in the Coastal Bend be prepared for the worst during the Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday.

Anyone who’s lived through Spring in South Texas knows that the weather is anything but predictable. Now is the time to get those supplies and be prepared.

Texas shoppers can save on emergency supplies this season during the 2019 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday, April 27-29.

 Texans are encouraged to purchase supplies to be ready in case a natural disaster strikes such as hurricanes, storms, flooding, wildfires and tornadoes. The 2019 Hurricane Season officially starts June 1st.

“I believe more people are more aware of it and hopefully, this will get out to everybody in South Texas. They can come over to Calallen or other Home Depots and get their supplies that they need now,” said Home Depot Assistant Store Manager Angel Solis.

All kinds of equipment and supplies are eligible such as portable generators, hurricane shutters, and even the basics, like first aid kits and smoke detectors. These are a few of the qualifying items that will be exempt from state and local taxes.

“I think after Hurricane Harvey everybody realized that things are for real, and hopefully we don’t  have to have another one this year, but it is always good to be prepared, ” said Solis.

As for the supplies that do not qualify for tax exemption:

“Some of the things that are not tax exempt are going to be like camping stoves, camping supplies, chainsaws, plywood, extension ladders, stepladders, tents; these are products that will be regular price, but you can always take advantage of the other stuff that is tax free,” said Solis.

Texas is one of five states… Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Virginia are the others which have sales tax holidays for emergency supplies. It is no coincidence that all are coastal states at risk from hurricanes.

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.

Many may not be familiar with the emergency supply tax free weekend; it’s fairly new to Texas, passing legislature in 2015.

The tax-free weekend is an incentive for Texans to better protect their lives and property during and after a potential weather emergency.

These emergency preparation supplies qualify for tax exemption if purchased for a sales price:

Less than $3000

• Portable generators
Less than $300
• Emergency ladders
• Hurricane shutters
Less than $75
• Axes
• Batteries, single or multi-pack (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

These supplies do not qualify for tax exemption:

• 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

Additional charges affect purchase 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.