House OKs Excluding Gold Coins from Sales Tax

AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House has overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan measure removing sales tax when consumers purchase gold coins and other small quantities of precious metals. The bill would exempt from sales tax the purchase of up to $1,000 in metal coins. It was authored by Rep. David Simpson, a tea party Republican from Longview. Many lawmakers signed on as co-sponsors, saying it would make it easier for low-income Texans to bolster their savings with some precious metals. It passed overwhelmingly with a simple voice vote Saturday.

The measure is expected to cost the state at least $375,000 through fiscal year 2015. But 21 other states already have no sales tax on gold and silver coins. It must clear a final, procedural hurdle in the House before heading to the state Senate.