Second-Annual Energy Star
Sales Tax Holiday May 23-25
Texas shoppers can expect to save about $3 million overall in state and local sales taxes during the event, which is patterned after the annual Sales Tax Holiday on clothing and shoes in mid-August.The Comptroller’s Office has announced the second-annual Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday. During Memorial Day weekend, Texas shoppers get a break from state and local sales and use taxes on purchases of certain energy efficient products. The 2009 Energy Star sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 25 (Memorial Day).
“It’s a great deal for consumers who will not only save at the register, but also at home, where they’ll see the benefits returned in energy savings on their utility bills,” Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said. “Texas benefits from conserving energy and natural resources.”
Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday applies only to the following appliances and household equipment:
- Air conditioners priced under $6,000 (room and central units)
- Clothes washers (but not clothes dryers*)
- Ceiling fans
- Dehumidifiers
- Dishwashers
- Light bulbs (incandescent and fluorescent)
- Programmable thermostats
- Refrigerators priced under $2,000.
* The Energy Star designation is not applied to clothes dryers since there is little difference in the energy use between models.
The items eligible for the exemption during the Energy Star holiday is limited to only those items specifically listed inTax Code Section 151.33.