Rep. Haines Urges Parents Use “Sales Tax Free Week” for Back to School Shopping

HARTFORD—As the start of the next school year approaches state Rep. Irene Haines today urged parents to take advantage of “sales tax free week” beginning Aug. 15.

The one-week exemption period that ends Aug. 21 eliminates Connecticut’s 6.35 percent sales tax on all clothing and footwear costing less than $100 per item.

“Tax Free Week” was first enacted in 2000 and applies to most clothing and footwear purchases that are intended for everyday use. Goods not covered under the program include items that are solely intended for use in sporting activities and accessories such as jewelry, watches, handbags, and wallets.

One of the most generous guidelines under Connecticut’s tax-free holiday laws is the layaway provision: If you put an item on layaway and make the first payment during tax-free week, none of the payments on the item will include tax.

For more information, visit the Department of Revenue Services website at www.ct.gov/drs.