April 25–27, 2026

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. 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.

This year’s holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 27.

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.

Online Purchases and Telephone Orders

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. The purchase date is easy to determine when the purchase is made in-store but becomes more complicated with remote purchases. The purchaser must have given the consideration for the item during the period even if the item may not be delivered until after the period is over.

For example, if a purchaser enters their credit card information in an online shopping website on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.to purchase a qualifying generator, but the generator will not be shipped until Friday, May 1, 2026, and will not arrive until Tuesday, May 5, 2026, the purchase will still qualify for the exemption. However, if the charge to credit card is declined by the payment processor at 11:00 p.m. on Monday, April 27, 2026, and the purchaser does not resubmit payment until Tuesday, April 28, 2026, the purchase is taxable.

Additional Charges Affect the Sales Price

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.

For example, you purchase a rescue ladder for $299 with a $10 delivery charge, for a total sales price of $309. Because the total sales price of the ladder is more than $300, tax is due on the $309 sales price.

Sales Tax Holiday Refund Requests

Purchasers can buy certain emergency preparation supplies tax free during the annual Texas Emergency Supplies Sales Tax 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 (PDF) 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 us at 800-531-5441, ext. 34545, or visit our Sales Tax Refunds web page for further details on filing a refund claim.

For more information, contact us at Tax Help, or call 800-252-5555.

By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Bowie Independent School District Trustees hired a new high school principal Monday night and also learned about the small number of citizens who attended a series of three community forums.
Following a brief executive session moved up in the agenda the new high school principal Dean Johnson and his wife Katie, and children Whitley and Henley were introduced to the board. Johnson will come to Bowie from Farmersville where he has been the junior high principal since July 2019.
He replaces Joanne Keeler who resigned from the principal’s job last month.
Johnson received his bachelor degree from Midwestern State University in kinesiology and math followed by a master of education in education administration from Lamar University. He earned his doctorate of educational leadership from MSU in December 2024 and was named 2023 outstanding Doctoral Student from the West College of Education.

Public forums
Superintendent Donna Hale reported on a series of three community forums that were hosted across the district during the last few weeks. Only seven people attended the events, and Hale said while this was not the turnout they had hoped for, the small group had very good discussions on their specific concerns.

Read the full story in Thursday’s Bowie News.

Top photo – Dean Johnson with his wife Katie, and daughters, Whitley and Henley were introduced Monday night. (News photo by Barbara Green)

Members of the Nocona City Council discussed an array of topics from public nuisance issues to the sale of raw water to a local golf course.
Public nuisance issues such as old vehicles, dilapidated houses, weeds, rubbish, brush and related unsightly items were briefly discussed during the April 14 meeting. In recent months, citizens and council members have asked just what can be done to tackle these problems more effectively.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.