Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend
With a projected $2.6 million savings statewide this long Memorial Day weekend, Texas shoppers will enjoy a break from state and local sales taxes when purchasing energy efficient appliances and other green products bearing an Energy Star label. (Energy Star is a cooperative program of the EPA and the Department of Energy.)
According to Texas Comptroller Susan Combs, the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday is a new annual tax holiday running May 24-26 in order to give Texans an incentive to replace their older appliances with energy efficient models. The idea is a one-two punch which would ideally save shoppers the up-front sales tax as well as money on future energy bills. (Energy Star appliances use 10-50% less energy and water than other models.)
The Energy Star label savings apply to air conditioners priced less than $6,000, ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, programmable thermostats, refrigerators priced less than $2,000 and clothes washers. Need a clothes dryer? Sorry, you'll be paying full price; Energy Star doesn't label clothes dryers - most models use about the same amount of energy.
The Energy Star logo must appear on the appliance (or its packaging or the Energy Guide label) to qualify for the exemptions. Savvy Austinist e-shoppers should know - the tax break applies to internet sales as well.
