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 2014 ENERGY STAR sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. (after midnight) on Saturday, May 24, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day). The products qualifying for the exemption are:
- Air conditioners priced at $6,000 or less
- Refrigerators priced at $2,000 or less
- Ceiling fans
- Incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs
- Clothes washers*
- Dishwashers
- Dehumidifiers
- Programmable thermostats**
* Because most dryers use similar amounts of energy, ENERGY STAR does not label clothes dryers.
** ENERGY STAR specification of programmable thermostats was suspended on December 31, 2009; however, any existing stock of ENERGY STAR labeled programmable thermostats offered for sale by retailers is still eligible for the exemption.
Qualifying products will display the ENERGY STAR logo, which may appear on the appliance, the packaging or the Energy Guide label. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. Earning the ENERGY STAR means a product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by these two federal agencies.
There is no limit on the number of qualifying items one can purchase during this sales tax holiday, and an exemption certificate is not required. For more information, click here.