This weekend is a sales tax holiday for disaster preparedness

THE WOODLANDS, TX – The Texas Comptroller’s Office has announced that this weekend will be a Texas sales tax holiday for emergency preparedness supplies. The event begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 27.

“Natural disasters will continue to happen. Prepare yourself during the 2026 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday for emergencies that can cause physical damage like hurricanes, flash floods and wildfires,” said Acting Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Kelly Hancock on his official website. “You can purchase certain emergency preparation supplies tax free 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.”

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 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.

These supplies do not qualify for 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

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. Delivery, shipping, handling and transportation charges are part of the sales price. Consider these charges when determining whether an emergency preparation supply can be purchased tax free during the 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. The seller can either grant the refund or provide their customer with Form 00-985, Assignment of Right to Refund that allows the purchaser to file the refund claim directly with the Comptroller’s office.

Should you have additional questions about refund requests, please contact 800-531-5441, ext. 34545, or visit the Sales Tax Refunds web page at https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/sales/refunds/ for further details on filing a refund claim.

For more information, contact the Comptroller’s Office at 800-252-5555.

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