House Republican Press Release

July 24, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Mike Alberts Announces: Sales-Tax Free Week Coming August 17

Rep. Alberts reminds consumers to take advantage when buying back-to-school clothing

State Representative Mike Alberts, R-50^th, Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret, Woodstock, announced that Connecticut’s “sales tax-free holiday” will take place this year from Sunday, August 17, through Saturday, August 23.

As a help to families preparing to send their children back to school, clothing and footwear items under $300 will be exempt from the state’s six percent sales tax.

Rep. Alberts has consistently supported legislation that establishes a one-week exemption from the state sales tax, which was first enacted in August 2000. From time to time, proposals have been introduced in the legislature to add a second week later in the year, but have not received approval.

Examples of clothing exempted during the sales tax-free holiday are jeans, dresses, blouses, shirts, shoes, sneakers, scarves, gloves, and belts. Non-apparel items, such as jewelry, wallets, and luggage are not included in the exemption.

 “I think sales tax-free week is a great opportunity to make it at least a little bit easier for parents to make their back-to-school purchases,” said Rep. Alberts. “However, everyone can take advantage of the savings it provides.”

Connecticut House Republicans first introduced the concept in August 1999 – modeled after a successful New York program – as a way of providing additional relief to Connecticut families while boosting the state’s economic competitiveness among neighboring states.

The sales tax free week is established by state stature in Sec. 12-407e.

Tax suspended for one week in August for sales of clothing or footwear of less than three hundred dollars. From the third Sunday in August until the Saturday next succeeding, inclusive, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to sales of any article of clothing or footwear intended to be worn on or about the human body the cost of which article to the purchaser is less than three hundred dollars. For purposes of this section, clothing or footwear shall not include (1) any special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use and which is not normally worn except when used for the athletic activity or protective use for which it was designed, and (2) jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches and similar items carried on or about the human body but not worn on the body in the manner characteristic of clothing intended for exemption under this section.

Rep. Alberts serves the 50^th assembly district of Brooklyn, Eastford, Hampton, Pomfret and Woodstock in the state House of Representatives.