Connecticut’s annual sales tax-free week will go on as planned and there are mixed reviews as it happens during a time the state faces a massive deficit.
Tax-free week runs from Sunday, Aug. 20 through Saturday, Aug. 26 and items such as clothing, shoes and hats, under $100 each, will be excluded from the state’s 6.35 percent sales tax.
During the week, the state typically loses out on $4 million to $5 million, according to Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Kevin Sullivan.
This will happen at a time when the state is facing a $5 billion deficit over the next two fiscal years.
However, Sullivan said the advantage to the tax-free week is that local retailers will often drop prices on certain items to make them eligible for the tax break, saving families even more money.
State Rep. Josh Elliott (D-Hamden) said losing that kind of money is concerning.
“We cannot afford to lose a projected $4.1 million in unclaimed sales tax during the Tax-Free week. We need to rely on every source of revenue so we can protect our core services and programs,” he said in a statement. “The tax-free week was initially implemented to increase foot traffic in our local shops, particularly our small businesses. This tax-free holiday is no longer having the same effect that it once had.”
Local
Elliott suggested that instead of a tax-free week the state should lower the sales tax and increase taxes on the state’s top-earners.
But First Selectman Lori Spielman (R-Ellington) disagrees and said the tax-free week still has a huge benefit for working families.
“If you have three or four children it adds up fast and I think it’s really important that the working people get a break. We have to do all we can to help,” Spielman said.
Several parents agreed the savings are a big help.
“I think it’s great. It’s definitely a help,” said Jennifer Jones, of Coventry, who plans to do most of her back-to-school shopping next week.
“Unfortunately, we bought the backpacks already. We still have to buy them shoes and stuff like that, so that will help us out a little bit,” said David Figueroa, a father of three.
Other legislators also expressed their opinions.
"Many Connecticut consumers and back-to-school shoppers this year are counting on tax free week for savings. To cancel the program so close to tax free week would have been unfair to families, retailers and small businesses," Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) said in a statement.
The tax-free week will go on as scheduled because legislators did not change the existing law.
- Antique clothing
- Aprons (kitchen)
- Arm warmers
- Athletic socks
- Bandannas
- Baseball hats
- Bathing caps
- Belts, suspenders, belt buckles
- Bicycle sneakers (without cleats)
- Blouses
- Chef uniforms
- Children’s bibs
- Clerical vestments and religious clothing
- Diapers (cloth or disposable, adult or child)
- Dresses
- Ear muffs
- Employee uniforms (such as police, fire, mechanics, nurses, postal)
- Formal wear gowns
- Formal wear rentals
- Foul weather gear
- Garters
- Gloves
- Golf dresses and skirts
- Golf jackets
- Golf shirts
- Graduation caps and gowns
- Gym suits
- Handkerchiefs
- Hats, caps
- Fashion boots
- Jeans
- Jogging suits, sweat suits
- Leg warmers
- Leotards, tights;
- Lingerie
- Nylons, hosiery -- Support hose specially designed to aid in the circulation of blood purchased by persons with a medical need for the hose are exempt under Conn. Gen. Stat. §12-412(19) regardless of their cost.
- Overclothes
- Overshoes, rubbers, boots
- Painter pants
- Ponchos
- Rain jackets, rain suits, rain wear
- Rented uniforms
- Robes
- Sashes
- Scarves
- Scout uniforms
- Shirts
- Shoelaces
- Shoes: aerobic, basketball, boat, running (without cleats), safety (suitable for everyday wear)
- Ski sweaters, ski jackets
- Sleepwear (nightgowns, pajamas)
- Slippers
- Sneakers
- Socks
- Square dancing clothes
- Swim suits
- Tennis clothing (dresses, hats, shorts, and skirts)
- Ties (men’s and women’s)
- Undergarments
- Wedding gowns, headpieces, and veils
- Work clothes
