1. (a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

   1. (1) Appliance or device--An instrument, apparatus, implement, machine, contrivance, implant, chemical, or other similar or related product that does not achieve its primary intended purposes through chemical action within or on the body, and that is not dependent upon being metabolized for the achievement of its primary intended purposes.
   2. (2) Brace--Any appliance or device that is used on or attached to the human body, and that gives rigidity or support for the purpose of correcting a physical ailment or defect.
   3. (3) Corrective lenses--Any appliance or device that is worn to correct or aid defective eyesight, such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other visual aids that an ophthalmologist or optometrist dispenses or prescribes.
   4. (4) Dental device--An artificial replacement of one or more teeth or a dental appliance worn on the teeth to correct irregularities of growth or position. For the purposes of this section, the term dental device does not include toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, mouth mirrors, or other devices used to prevent cavities or plaque build-up or removal.

   5. (5) Dietary supplement--A product that:

      1. (A) contains one or more vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, or substances to increase caloric intake;
      2. (B) is not represented as a food or the sole item of a meal or the diet; and
      3. (C) is labeled or is required to be labeled "dietary supplement" or "supplement."

   6. (6) Drug or medicine--A product that:

      1. (A) is intended for use in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease, illness, injury, or pain;
      2. (B) is applied to the human body, or that humans ingest or inhale;
      3. (C) is not an appliance or device; and
      4. (D) is not food.

   7. (7) Food--Material, usually of plant or animal origin, that contains or consists of essential nutrients and is intended for human ingestion:

      1. (A) for taste or aroma; or
      2. (B) to satisfy the appetite, hunger, or thirst.
   8. (8) Hearing aid--Any appliance or device worn to correct or aid defective hearing. The term also includes an audio loop used by a person who is deaf.
   9. (9) Hypodermic needle--A hollow needle adapted for use with hypodermic syringes.
   10. (10) Hypodermic syringe--A small syringe with a hollow needle adapted for use in removing or injecting material beneath the skin.
   11. (11) Ileostomy, colostomy, and ileal bladder appliance--An appliance or device that is surgically implanted or formed to assist the human body in the elimination of natural waste.
   12. (12) Orthopedic appliance--Any appliance or device designed specifically for use in the correction or prevention of human deformities, defects, or chronic diseases of the skeleton, joints, or spine.
   13. (13) Prosthetic device--An item that is artificial and replaces a missing part of the body, performs the function of a vital organ or appendage of the human body, or is permanently implanted in the body. Examples of prosthetic devices are heart-lung pumps, nasal gastric and gastrointestinal devices, ureteral stents, urethral stents, artificial kidney machines, intravenous systems, and related components and supplies.
   14. (14) Therapeutic appliance or device--An appliance or device that is designed to alleviate pain or for use during the treatment or cure of human sickness, disease, suffering, or deformity.
   15. (15) Wound care dressing--An item that absorbs wound drainage, protects healing tissue, maintains a moist or dry wound environment (as appropriate), or prevents bacterial contamination.

2. (b) Drugs and medicines.

   1. (1) Insulin that is sold with or without a prescription is exempt.
   2. (2) Sales tax is not due on the sale of drugs or medicines that are prescribed or dispensed for humans or animals on the oral or written prescription of licensed practitioners of the healing arts. Sales tax is due on the sale of all other nonprescription drugs and medicines, except as provided in subsections (b)(1) and (b)(3) of this section, and the retailer must collect tax from the purchaser on such sales.
   3. (3) Sales tax is not due on the sale of non-prescription drugs or medicines. A product is presumed to be a drug or medicine for sales tax purposes if it is labeled or required to be labeled with a "Drug Facts" panel pursuant to the regulations of the federal Food and Drug Administration.
   4. (4) Sales tax is not due on the sale of wound care dressings.
3. (c) Dietary supplements. Sales tax is not due on the sale of dietary supplements. A product is presumed to be a dietary supplement for sales tax purposes if it is labeled or required to be labeled with a "Supplement Facts" panel pursuant to the regulations of the federal Food and Drug Administration.

4. (d) Medical equipment.

   1. (1) Sales tax is not due on the sale, lease, or rental of medical equipment meeting the definition of a brace, corrective lens, hearing aid, orthopedic appliance, prosthetic device, or dental device. Sales tax is not due on replacement parts designed specifically for such devices and appliances. With the exception of corrective lenses, a prescription is not required.
   2. (2) Sales tax is not due on the sale of ileostomy, colostomy, or ileal bladder appliances, related supplies or replacement parts that are designed specifically for such appliances.
   3. (3) Sales tax is not due on the sale of hypodermic syringes and hypodermic needles used for medical purposes.
   4. (4) Sales tax is not due on the sale of blood glucose monitoring strips.
   5. (5) Sales tax is not due on the sale, lease, or rental of hospital beds or their replacement parts. A hospital bed is the type of bed used in a hospital for rest, recuperation, and treatment. A hospital bed does not include an operating table, delivery table, examination table, stretcher, or gurney. A prescription is not required.

   6. (6) Sales or use tax is not due on the sale, lease, or rental of the following items when used by the deaf. An exemption certificate is not required for the purchase, rental, or lease of these items:

      1. (A) hearing aids;
      2. (B) specialized printing or signaling equipment that the deaf use for the purpose of enabling communication by ordinary telephone, including all materials, paper, and printing ribbons that are used in that equipment;
      3. (C) an appliance or device, such as a light signal , that is used to adapt items such as telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD), telephones, doorbells, and smoke alarms; and
      4. (D) adaptive devices or adaptive software for computers that deaf persons use.

   7. (7) Sales or use tax is not due on the sale, lease, or rental of the following items when used by the legally blind. An exemption certificate is not required for the purchase, rental, or lease of these items:

      1. (A) a braille wristwatch, braillewriter, braille paper; and
      2. (B) braille electronic equipment that connects to computer equipment, along with the necessary adaptive devices and computer software.

   8. (8) Sales or use tax is not due on the sale, lease, or rental of the following items when used by the legally blind, if an exemption certificate is provided to the seller:

      1. (A) a slate and stylus;
      2. (B) print enlarger;
      3. (C) light probe;
      4. (D) magnifier;
      5. (E) white cane;
      6. (F) talking clock;
      7. (G) hardware and software that are necessary to adapt a computer for a legally blind person to use; and
      8. (H) harness for guide dog.

   9. (9) Sales tax is not due on the sale, lease, or rental of therapeutic appliances, devices, and related supplies specifically designed for those products when sold, leased, or rented to individuals under a prescription of a licensed practitioner of the healing arts.

      1. (A) A hot tub, spa, or similar appliance qualifies as a therapeutic appliance when prescribed for the purchaser by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts. The patient must provide the seller of the hot tub, spa, or similar appliance with a prescription, an exemption certificate, and a signed statement on letterhead from the licensed practitioner. The signed statement should specify the medical requirements for the hot tub, spa, or similar appliance. Unless a hospital, nursing home, or other institution qualifies for exemption under the Tax Code, §151.310(a)(1) or (2), the institution must pay sales tax on equipment and supply items used to provide medical services unless the item qualifies for exemption under paragraphs (1)-(3) of this subsection.
      2. (B) Sales tax is not due on the sale of eating utensils, such as spoons, forks, or knives, that are designed to facilitate independent eating and purchased for use by a person who cannot eat independently with conventional utensils because of injury, disease, physical or mental disability, or advanced age.

Source Note:The provisions of this §3.284 adopted to be effective January 1, 1976; amended to be effective November 15, 1976, 1 TexReg 3099; amended to be effective July 5, 1978, 3 TexReg 2086; amended to be effective November 16, 1979, 4 TexReg 3985; amended to be effective November 18, 1981, 6 TexReg 4063; amended to be effective December 21, 1983, 8 TexReg 5038; amended to be effective December 6, 1991, 16 TexReg 6756; amended to be effective March 9, 1995, 20 TexReg 1337; amended to be effective March 12, 1996, 21 TexReg 1685; amended to be effective June 13, 2001, 26 TexReg 4213.