House Republican Press Release

August 7, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Rowe Reminds Residents Of Back to School Tax Savings

State Rep. T.R. Rowe, R-Trumbull, today reminded residents of state sales tax breaks taking place in Connecticut this month. Exemptions from the state’s six percent sales tax include clothing and college textbooks. Rep. Rowe noted that people buying back to school clothing will not have to pay Connecticut’s six percent sales tax during the third week of August.

• Connecticut shoppers will have one week to buy clothing and footwear items costing under $300 without paying Connecticut sales tax.  This year, the tax free week runs to from Sunday, August 19 through Saturday, August 25.  Throughout the year, clothes and shoes up to $50 are exempt.

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.

• Sales of college textbooks to full-time and part-time students enrolled at institutions of higher education are exempt throughout the year, with presentation of valid student identification cards. College textbooks means new or used books and workbooks required or recommended for courses. The exemption in effect since 2000 has been expanded this year to include sales to students at private occupational schools.

 “This exemption was created to directly help the state’s families,” said Rep. Rowe. “Parents can appreciate the savings to their budget while making sure their children are prepared to return to school. Because it benefits both consumers and retailers, the sales-tax free week is an example of some meaningful tax relief.”

Rep. Rowe and House Republican Caucus 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. Consumers seeking more information on the state’s “sales tax-free week” can visit the Department of Revenue Services’ website at: http://www.ct.gov/drs.