By Georgina Elustondo
In Texas, preparing for hurricanes, floods or fires can be cheaper starting today. The state activated its tax-free weekend for emergency supplies, a measure that allows you to buy certain products without paying gross sales tax for three days.
For many families, it is not a minor detail. In Texas, where severe storms, power outages and extreme weather events are a fact of life, putting together emergency equipment can cost quite a bit. This window allows you to save just before hurricane season, which begins June 1.
The exemption runs from Friday, April 25 to Sunday, April 27, 2026according to official information released by state media and the comptroller’s office.
What products can be purchased tax-free
Texas has a state sales tax and, adding local charges, many areas reach up to 8.25%. That means that on a medium-sized purchase the discount can be felt.
But it all depends on the price of each item. Among the most searched for are:
- Up to $75 or less: Flashlights, household batteries, first aid kits, small fire extinguishers, weather radios, portable coolers, basic power chargers, tarps and eligible protective items.
- Higher value items with other limits: There are also products with higher limits, such as certain portable generators or emergency ladders, depending on the category.
What does NOT fit
Not everything is tax free. Among those excluded are usually:
- Toilet paper.
- Common cleaning products.
- Medical masks.
- Batteries for cars or boats.
- Plywood (plywood).
- Chainsaws.
- Tenting overall equipment.
Why it matters more this year
Texas has been facing wildfires, intense storms and concerns about the hurricane season. Buying before an emergency is usually cheaper and avoids the classic last-minute problem: empty shelves when a storm is announced.
Many residents wait until there is an alert to look for flashlights or batteries. There normally demand goes up and availability goes down.
You can see: Texas tightens construction controls: what happens if you work without a license from May 1
What should you buy first?
If a family is starting from scratch, the most useful thing is usually:
- Flashlight per person.
- Extra batteries.
- Radio with batteries or crank.
- Basic first aid kit.
- Cooler.
- Chargeable energy banks.
- Water and non-perishable food (if applicable by other means).
You can see: Is it dazzling to carry passengers in the back of a van in Texas? This is what the law says
Online purchases may also qualify
Texas indicated that some superhighway data or telephone purchases may also fall under the exemption if they are made within the established period and comply with billing rules.
What many families do wrong
What you should not do is wait for the first hurricane warning. When that happens, the most necessary products disappear quickly: water, batteries, flashlights and generators.
This weekend’s opportunity is highly recommended. It’s not just about saving a few dollars. It’s about buying calmly, choosing better and being prepared before you need it.
In Texas, that difference is sometimes worth much more than the tax.
Continue reading:
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