This weekend, Texas celebrates sales tax-free water-efficient products day – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

If you're eyeing a new showerhead for your bathroom or an upgrade to your sprinkler system, you can save money during Texas' sales tax-free period on water-saving products. Consumers can also save sales tax on certain Energy Star appliances this weekend.

The sales tax-free period begins on Saturday, May 25 and runs through Memorial Day on Monday, May 27. Read on to learn the rules consumers need to know.

WATERPROOF ITEMS

You may be more familiar with the annual back-to-school sales tax-free day in August, but Water Conservation Sales Tax-Free Day has been around for about nine years. It falls on Memorial Day weekend and gives consumers a small rebate on local and state sales taxes.

The Texas Comptroller's Office said any items with a WaterSense label are tax-exempt for business or personal use. A list of WaterSense products, from toilets to outdoor irrigation controllers, can be found here.

You can also save sales tax on other items planted or installed to conserve water. Unlike WaterSense items, these are tax-free if purchased for residential use only. The Texas Comptroller's office gives examples such as a watering hose, a rain barrel, mulch, plants, trees, grass, soil and compost.

“We all know that these 100-degree days come fast and hard in Texas and last well into September and October. This weekend is the best time to stock up and save money,” said Kevin Lyons, spokesman for the Texas Auditor General.

According to the Texas Comptroller's Office, stores automatically apply the sales tax exemption.

This includes online retailers. The Audit Office said consumers will receive the VAT reduction if the retailer takes payment during the VAT exemption – even if the item is not delivered until after the exemption ends.

Keep in mind that retailers typically do not charge consumers until the item is shipped. Kevin Lyons explained: As long as the retailer charges your card during the tax-free period, consumers should receive the tax savings. If a consumer orders something during the eligible period but the card is not charged until after the tax-free period when the item is shipped, the consumer will not receive the tax savings.

You can read further information from the Court of Auditors here.

ENERGY STAR SALES TAX CELEBRATION

Certain Energy Star appliances are also exempt from the tax, including refrigerators that cost $2,000 or less, air conditioners with a sales price of $6,000 or less, ceiling fans, washing machines, dishwashers and dehumidifiers. There are Energy Star appliances that do not qualify for the sales tax exemption — including attic fans, freezers and clothes dryers. You can find more information about the items that qualify for the sales tax exemption here.

Delivery and shipping costs are part of the item's selling price. If you're considering an item with a price cap, such as a refrigerator, the delivery costs could cause you to exceed the cap. As the Comptroller's Office explains: If you buy a qualifying refrigerator for $1,995 plus $50 delivery costs, the total selling price would exceed the $2,000 cap. That would mean sales tax would be due on the entire $2,045 selling price.

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