Rep. Polletta Opposes New ‘Meals Tax’ Effective Oct. 1

HARTFORD – State Representative Joe Polletta (R-68) joined House and Senate Republican lawmakers on Thursday in bringing the public’s attention to newly released details on the 7.35% “meals tax” set to go into effect October 1, 2019. The tax was included in the state budget passed by Democrats and signed into law by Governor Ned Lamont during the 2019 legislative session.

According to a Department of Revenue Services (DRS) policy statement issued this week, the 7.35% tax will be applied to a broad list of food items that have never been taxed.

The tax will apply to not only prepared meals such as sandwiches, deli salads, pizza and hot buffet items, but also small packages of snacks, loose baked goods, wrapped salads, small servings of ice cream, and meal replacement bars. It also applies to fountain drinks, including coffee and any beverage sold with a taxable “meal.”

“Once again, the Democrats’ destructive policy agenda has proven to be harmful to working- and middle-class families and seniors,” said Rep. Polletta. “This latest money grab will put everyday food items and groceries out of reach for many in our community. That is unacceptable.”

Earlier this year, Democratic lawmakers labeled the new tax as only a 1% tax increase on items already taxed at 6.35%, but the DRS statement clarifies that the new 7.35% tax will also apply to many grocery items that have never been taxed before.

Rep. Polletta commented: “The people of Connecticut have yet again been misled by Governor Lamont and legislative Democrats. Just when we thought the grocery tax was dead, the Democrats found a back-door way to tax some of our most basic necessities.”

Examples of Taxable “Meals” According to DRS (will be taxed at 7.35% in eating establishments AND grocery stores):

• Sandwiches, grinders, and wraps;
• Popsicles, ice cream cones, cups, sundaes, and other individual servings of frozen desserts unless sold in factory prepackaged multi-unit packs;
• Ice cream, frozen yogurt, and other frozen desserts sold in containers of less than one pint;
• Salads sold at salad bars;
• Lettuce or greens-based salads sold in containers of 8 ounces or less;
• Salads that are not greens-based (macaroni, potato, pasta, fruit, etc.) sold in containers of 8 ounces or less;
• Donuts, muffins, rolls, bagels, and pastries (5 or fewer);
• Cookies sold loose (5 or fewer when cookies are sold by quantity, or less than 8 ounces when cookies are sold by weight);
• Pies or cakes by the slice;
• Prepackaged or factory-sealed bags or packages of 5 ounces or less of chips, popcorn, kettle corn, nuts, trail mix, crackers, cookies, snack cakes, or other snack foods, unless sold in factory prepackaged multi-unit packs;
• Pizza, whole or by the slice;
• Cooked chicken sold by the piece, including buckets of chicken, and whole cooked chickens;
• Cooked ribs sold by the piece or portion and whole racks of ribs;
• Hot dogs served on a bun or heated;
• Bagels that are individually prepared;
• Soup sold in containers of 8 ounces or less, unless sold in factory prepackaged units;
• Smoothies;
• Meal replacement bars;
• All beverages provided with the sale of a taxable meal;
• Food sold at a hot buffet;
• Food that is cooked to order;
• Popcorn, kettle corn, nuts and any other snack foods that are kept warm for purchase; and
• Items such as salads, side dishes, and rolls, when sold as part of family pack meals typically including, whole chickens or buckets of chicken, when prepared and sold for immediate consumption, even when the items exceed the weight or quantity limits specified above.

Examples of Taxable Drinks According to DRS (will be taxed at 7.35% in eating establishments AND grocery stores):

• Beer, including nonalcoholic beer;
• Fruit juices, sweetened beverages, soft drinks, and soda;
• Carbonated water;
• Coffee or tea (ready to consume, hot or iced);
• Distilled alcohol such as brandy, rum, whiskey, gin, vodka, and tequila;
• Fountain drinks of any kind;
• Hard cider;
• Kombucha tea, and other naturally carbonated beverages;
• Malt liquor;
• Milkshakes;
• Hot chocolate;
• Syrup-flavored crushed ice drinks; and
• Wine.

For the complete DRS policy statement, please click here.