CT Cuts Taxes On School Supplies, Expands Annual Tax-Free Week

Parents can expect to save some money buying school supplies in Connecticut during this back-to-school retail season.

State lawmakers recently implemented new reductions in sales taxes.

First, Connecticut has eliminated sales taxes on non-electronic school supplies, such as pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, paper, folders, binders, lunch boxes, and more.

The change is expected to save consumers about $6 million annually, according to the governor’s office.

Second, Connecticut’s annual Sales Tax-Free Week is expanding this year to exempt more purchases from the sales tax.

It runs from Sunday, Aug. 16 to Saturday, Aug. 22.

This year, the weeklong sales tax holiday will apply to retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items priced under $300. In prior years, the limit was $100.

The exemption applies to each item costing under $300, even if several items are purchased in the same transaction. Also, more items are now exempt from sales taxes that week, such as backpacks and cleats.

Gov. Ned Lamont encourages residents to take advantage of the changes.

“These sales tax reductions will help give consumers some extra savings, especially as the busy back-to-school season begins,” Lamont said.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said she hopes residents take advantage of the savings and also shop at local small businesses.

“During Sales Tax-Free Week, parents and caregivers can save on needed clothing and everyday footwear items to help their kids kick off the school year with confidence,” Bysiewicz said.

For more information on Sales Tax-Free Week, click HERE.