Hurricane Season: Get tax free emergency supplies this weekend in Texas

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This weekend in Texas, residents can get tax-free supplies on things like portable generators, hurricane shutters and batteries.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Hurricane season begins Wednesday, June 1, and now is the time to start preparing in case of an emergency.

This weekend in Texas, residents can get tax-free supplies on things like portable generators, hurricane shutters and batteries.

The 2022 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 25.  

There are a few things that will not qualify for the tax exemption including plywood and chainsaws. You can find a full list of items that do and do not qualify below. 

Forecasters are predicting a more active than normal Hurricane Season due to a weak La Niña mid-season.

TROPICAL: The April ENSO forecast is out and it’s showing a weak la niña into the middle of hurricane season. La niña…

Posted by Alan Holt on Wednesday, April 20, 2022

RELATED: What you need to do to prepare for hurricane season

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

Crazy stat from Ken Graham, director of the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center:

Since 2017, there have been more category 4/5 landfalls in the US than the time between 1963-2016.

Posted by Alan Holt on Thursday, April 7, 2022

For more information on the sales tax holiday, click here.