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Fireworks in Texas

  • Apr 29, 2016 | Gail Cole

 Fireworks now more available in Texas, and still taxable.

Although regular state and local sales taxes apply to fireworks in Texas, the special 2% fireworks sales and use tax was repealed last year. This is happy news for Texans who like to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the 4th of July, and New Year’s Eve with light-filled skies. Now there is more good news.

Fireworks sales have been legal in Texas for some time, but only during certain periods of time and, in some cases, only in certain locations:

  • May 1 through midnight, May 5, in locations “not more than 100 miles from the Texas-Mexico border,” provided the county commissioners court approves the sale of fireworks
  • June 24 through midnight, July 4
  • December 20 through midnight, January 1 (the following year)

Last year, lawmakers added to the list of holidays that can be celebrated with fireworks, provided the county commissioners court approves the sale of fireworks in their county during each period:

  • February 25 – March 2 (Texas Independence Day)
  • April 16 – 21 (San Jancinto Day)
  • May 25 – 30 (Memorial Day)

Additional information for the curious is available in Texas Statutes, Section 2154.202.

Help with handling sales and use tax in Texas is available through Avalara AvaTax. Learn more.

 


Sales tax rates, rules, and regulations change frequently. Although we hope you'll find this information helpful, this blog is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal or tax advice.
Gail Cole
Avalara Author
Gail Cole
Gail Cole
Avalara Author Gail Cole
Gail began researching and writing about sales tax in 2012 and has been fascinated with it ever since. She has a penchant for uncovering unusual tax facts, and endeavors to make complex sales tax laws more digestible for both experts and laypeople.