Expanded Texas Sales Tax Holiday Designed To Benefit Flood Victims

AUSTIN, TX -- A new version of the annual sales tax holiday -- normally a time when parents stock up on clothes and school needs for their children -- will be expanded to include purchases of emergency preparation supplies for those affected by the torrential downpours in Houston and other parts of Texas.

The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts said people can buy such supplies tax-free during the newly launched 2016 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday scheduled April 23-25.

"You can purchase certain emergency preparation supplies tax free during the 2016 Emergency Preparation Supplies Tax Holiday," comptroller officials said. "There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, and you do not need to issue an exemption certificate to claim the exemption."

This year’s tax-free holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 25, officials said. A list of emergency preparation supplies qualifying for tax exemption include:

• Less than $3000
  • Portable generators
• Less than $300
  • Hurricane shutters
  • Emergency ladders
• Less than $75
  • Batteries, single or multipack (AAA cell, AA cell, C cell, D cell, 6 volt or 9 volt)
  • First aid kits
  • Fuel containers
  • Ground anchor systems and tie-down kits
  • Hatchets
  • Axes
  • Mobile telephone batteries and mobile telephone chargers
  • Nonelectric coolers and ice chests for food storage
  • Nonelectric can openers
  • Portable self-powered light sources (hand cranked flashlights)
  • Portable self-powered radios, including two-way and weather band radios
  • Reusable and artificial ice products
  • Smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Tarps and other plastic sheeting

These supplies do not qualify for tax exemption:

• 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

Officials note that delivery, shipping, handling and transportation charges are part of the sales price. If the emergency preparation supply being purchased is taxable, the delivery charge is also taxable, they added.

"Consider these charges when determining whether an emergency preparation supply can be purchased tax free during the holiday," officials advised. "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."

For more information, contact the comptroller's office at comptroller.texas.gov/taxhelp, or call 1-800-252-5555.

Purchases can be made as donations for those wishing to help those still in need, still recovering from catastrophic flooding. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott this week declared nine counties as disaster areas, singling out Houston in Harris County -- where about 17 inches of rain fell in just 24 hours beginning last Sunday -- as the hardest hit.

There are other ways to help. ABC 13 in Houston listed a useful list of places accepting donations for those affected by the floods. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told the news station he has spearheaded the creation of the Greater Houston Storm Relief Fund to accept flood relief donations.

"We've been hearing from residents who are confused about where they should donate to get assistance directly to the residents of our city who are suffering," he told the news station. "The creation of this fund will ensure the dollars donated stay in our community. The fund will focus on aiding storm victims and relief organizations in Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery Counties."

The fund is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit public charity will administer donations. Online credit card donations will be assessed a small fee, typically 3 percent, by the credit card companies, the mayor said. Donors have the option of increasing their credit card donations to cover this fee. To donate, go to www.houstonrecovers.org and follow the instructions.

Other sites accepting donations:

Harvest Time Church

17770 Imperial Valley Drive

Those wishing to help can donate diapers, wipes, personal hygiene products, snack foods for children, water, clothing. Caterers wanting to donate hot meals for displaced residents are welcome, the church pastor said.

Precinct 1 Constables Office
Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen's office has established a collection point in downtown Houston for donations of new clothing, diapers, hygiene items and other necessities for county residents who had to evacuate their homes due to flooding, the news station reports. Donors can leave items with security personnel in the lobby of the county annex at 1302 Preston Street between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays. Precinct 1 staff will ensure the proper delivery of the items. For more information call Erica Davis of Precinct 1 at 832.286.3876.

FLOOD REPORT:
The City of Houston Office of Emergency Management is asking any residents who experienced flooding inside their home or business to report it to the Houston 311 Help & Information Line by calling 311 or submitting the report online here.

RED CROSS:
Those who wish to donate to flood relief may do so at redcross.org/donate.

GIVE BLOOD:
Blood donations are always needed, especially in times of crisis. Find a Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center location near you at giveblood.org.