The 2026 tax-free ENERGY STAR® Sales Tax holiday began Saturday and goes through midnight tonight, encouraging the purchase of energy-efficient products. Texas consumers can buy, rent or lease certain ENERGY STAR®-labeled items tax free during the holiday.
Qualifying products include ceiling fans, incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, clothes washers, dishwashers and dehumidifiers. Additionally, air conditioners (with a sales price of $6,000 or less) and refrigerators (with a sales price of $2,000 or less).
"The Comptroller encourages all taxpayers to support Texas businesses while saving money on tax-free purchases of certain ENERGY STAR® energy-efficient products during the annual Texas ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday," a statement from the Texas Comptroller said.
Online purchases also qualify for exemption, so long as the purchase is made within the period. If the credit card does not accept the payment within the period, then the item is taxable.
Additional charges also affect the sales price. Any additional charges such as delivery, shipping, handling and transportation charges are not taxable. For air conditioners and refrigerators (which have a price cap) these additional fees are part of the total sales price and can determine whether it can be purchased tax free.
Items that do not qualify and are taxable during the holiday, even if they are ENERGY STAR®-labeled, include water heaters, clothes dryers, freezers, stoves, attic fans, heat pumps, wine refrigerators, kegerators and beverage chillers.
The Sales Tax holiday ends at midnight across Texas.
