Texas emergency supplies sales tax holiday underway

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The state of Texas advises residents to take advantage of the 2025 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday to prepare for any natural disasters.

The tax holiday for emergency supplies is from April 26 through April 28.

Buyers can purchase certain emergency preparation supplies tax-free during the sales tax holiday, with no limit on the number of qualifying items a person can purchase. Additionally, you do not need to provide an exemption certificate to claim the exemption.

Items and prices that qualify for the 2025 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday are the following:

• 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, non-electric.
  • Fire extinguishers.
  • First aid kits.
  • Fuel containers.
  • Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits.
  • Hatchets.
  • Ice products, for example, reusable and artificial.
  • Light sources such as 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) include two-way and weather band radios.
  • Smoke detectors.
  • Tarps and other plastic sheeting.

If a buyer pays sales taxes on emergency preparation supplies during the sales tax holiday, they can ask a the seller for a refund of the tax paid.

The seller can either grant a refund or provide the customer a 00-985 Assignment of Right to Refund form, which allows the purchaser to file a refund claim directly with the Comptroller's office.