Sales tax free weekend on energy efficient products
From Staff Reports

This Memorial Day weekend, Texas shoppers will get a break from state and local sales taxes on purchases of certain energy efficient products.

The 2008 Energy-Star, salestax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday. During the 2007 legislative session, lawmakers passed energy provisions in House Bill 3693, which created the sales-tax free holiday for certain ENERGY STAR appliances.

"We tried to give people incentives to replace their aging appliances," State Rep. Chuck Hopson (D-Jacksonville) said. "This comes at a real good time, a lot of people are getting their government checks."

Scott McCloud, spokesman for AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO), said the sales tax is an opportunity to replace a worn-out appliance. But the purchase will also have financial benefits.

"This is the first chance Texans have to purchase an energy efficient appliance without paying sales tax," McCloud said. "The consumer also will benefit from the reduced energy consumption by the appliance."

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs said shoppers who take advantage of the tax break are expected to save about $2.6 million in state and local sales taxes.

"The Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday rewards Texans for choosing the most energy efficient appliances available and helping conserve the state's vital energy resources," Combs said. "Appliances that have earned the Energy Star label from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency use 10-50 percent less energy and water than other models."

According to the Comptroller's office, the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday applies only to the following appliances and household equipment: 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, but not clothes dryers. Energy Star does not label clothes dryers, because most models use about the same amount of energy.

To qualify for the sales tax exemption, the Energy Star logo must appear on the appliance, the packaging or the Energy Guide label. Full details about the Energy Star Sales Tax Holiday are available on the Comptroller's Web site at www.window. state.tx.us. More information about Energy Star products, including specific brands and models of qualifying appliances and household equipment, is available at www.energystar. gov.

PRODUCTS QUALIFYING FOR

EXEMPTIONS

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 +