House Republican Press Release

August 8, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Ruwet Announces Back to School Tax Break

State Rep. Anne Ruwet, R-65, Torrington, today urged residents, tourists and college students to take advantage of a sales tax holiday on clothing that the legislature authorized beginning August 20.

Rep. Ruwet said, “With many families thinking about back to school shopping, the week of August 20 will be a special time to save on the sales tax and to benefit from other store specials. It’s a win-win situation for Connecticut families.”

Rep. Ruwet also noted, “Besides saving on back to school clothing, homeowners can take steps to save on energy and home heating costs by purchasing certain weatherization products without paying the sales tax.”

Rep. Ruwet pointed out that:

• 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 20 through Saturday, August 26.

 Throughout the year, clothes and shoes up to $50 are exempt.

• The legislature also exempted home energy conservation and weatherization products from the Connecticut sales tax from June 1, 2006, and to June 30, 2007. This sales tax holiday had expired in April, but the legislature reinstated it.

• 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. Last year, the exemption for college textbooks was expanded to include sales to students at private occupational schools.

The weatherization products exempt from tax are:

• Programmable thermostats;
• Window film;
• Caulking of a type marketed for preventing drafts, such as window and door caulking;
• Window and door weather strips, including door sweeps;
• Insulation, for example attic and wall insulation, spray foam insulation, water pipe insulation, heating duct insulation, and switch and outlet insulators;
• Water heater blankets;
• Water heaters;
• Boilers. Only sales of boilers that meet the federal Energy Star standard qualify for the exclusion (Energy Star qualified boilers have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 85% or greater.);
• Natural gas furnaces that meet the federal Energy Star standard;
• Propane furnaces that meet the federal Energy Star standard;
• Windows that meet the federal Energy Star standard (Note that storm windows do not have an Energy Star standard and are not included in this tax exclusion.);
• Doors that meet the federal Energy Star standard (Note that storm doors do not have an Energy Star standard and are not included in this tax exclusion.);
• Oil furnaces that are not less than 85% efficient based on the AFUE rating;
• Ground-based heat pumps that meet the minimum federal energy efficiency rating.

Rep. Ruwet added, “Students returning to college face a high cost for textbooks. However, Connecticut tries to ease some of the burden by exempting textbooks from the six percent sales tax. This applies to both new and used textbooks.”

“As families prepare for the new school year and the home heating season,” Rep. Ruwet noted, “these are some savings that are available and I hope consumers can make the most of them.”

Rep. Ruwet serves the 65th Assembly District of Torrington in the state House of Representatives.