Texas shoppers will have the opportunity to purchase certain emergency preparation supplies without paying state and local sales taxes during a three-day sales tax holiday that begins Saturday, April 25, and runs through midnight Monday, April 27, 2026.
The annual event, authorized by the Texas Legislature, aims to help residents prepare for severe weather threats, including hurricanes, flash floods, and wildfires.
Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock reminded Texans of the holiday in a recent statement, noting that officials estimate shoppers will save approximately $2.4 million in state and local sales taxes during the period.
There is no limit on the number of qualifying items a customer may buy, and no exemption certificate is required. The holiday applies to purchases made in-store, online, by telephone, by mail, by custom order, or by any other means, as long as the item qualifies and the purchase occurs during the specified window, per the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Qualifying items include portable generators priced under $3,000; emergency ladders and hurricane shutters under $300; and a range of lower-priced supplies under $75 such as axes, hatchets, batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 6-volt or 9-volt in single or multipacks), nonelectric can openers, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, fuel containers, portable self-powered light sources (including flashlights and lanterns), portable self-powered radios (including weather band), smoke detectors, tarps and plastic sheeting, nonelectric coolers, reusable ice products and mobile telephone batteries and chargers, reported KSAT.
Exclusions apply to several categories, including medical masks, cleaning supplies such as disinfectants and bleach wipes, gloves, toilet paper, automobile or boat batteries, camping stoves and supplies, chainsaws, plywood, extension or stepladders, tents, repair parts for emergency items, and any related services. Delivery, shipping, handling, and transportation charges are considered part of the sale price and may affect the underlying item’s tax status if it is taxable. Over-the-counter self-care items like hand sanitizer labeled with a federal “Drug Facts” panel remain exempt year-round under separate rules.
The Comptroller’s office publishes a detailed list of qualifying items and price thresholds each year. Consumers are advised to verify prices and additional fees before purchase to ensure the tax exemption applies, per KSAT. The holiday falls as spring and hurricane seasons approach, encouraging families to stock up on supplies that could prove useful during power outages or storms.
Retailers across Texas, including those in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, will participate. No special registration is needed for buyers. The state has held an annual emergency preparedness supplies sales tax holiday since 2015.
