The Texas Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday starts Saturday, giving residents across the state a chance to buy emergency supplies tax-free through Monday night.
The annual tax-free weekend helps Texans prepare for hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, severe storms, and power outages by allowing shoppers to purchase qualifying emergency preparation supplies without paying state and local sales tax.
According to the Texas Comptroller’s Office, Texans are expected to save about $2.4 million during the Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday.
Tax-free items include batteries, flashlights, fuel containers, and other emergency preparation supplies priced under $75. Safety equipment such as emergency ladders and hurricane shutters priced under $300 also qualify. Portable generators priced under $3,000 are included as well, offering some of the biggest savings for families preparing for storm season.
For many shoppers, the savings can be significant. A $100 purchase of emergency preparation supplies can save more than $8 in sales tax, while larger purchases like generators may save between $50 and $250 depending on the final cost.
Emergency officials continue to remind Texans that disaster preparation should happen year-round, not just during hurricane season. Severe weather and unexpected power outages can happen at any time, making it important to keep emergency supplies ready at home.
Experts recommend starting with basic emergency preparation supplies such as flashlights, batteries, portable phone chargers, bottled water, and first-aid kits. Shopping early is also encouraged since popular items often sell out quickly when storms are in the forecast.
Online orders also qualify for the Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday, but shipping and delivery charges count toward the total price when determining if an item qualifies for the tax exemption.
The Texas Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday gives families a simple way to save money while making sure they are ready for emergencies before severe weather arrives.
