Mount Vernon Back-to-School Shoppers: Remember those NY Tax Breaks

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Now that it's crunch time for back-to-school shopping, remember about money-saving tax breaks on purchases of certain clothing and footwear, and on course textbooks for college students.

In 2016, the state exemption alone is expected to save New York shoppers more than $891 million. Savings from the combined state and local sales tax exemptions are well over $1 billion annually.

"New Yorkers can enjoy substantial savings year-round with this program," New York State Commissioner of Taxation Finance Jerry Boone said in a press release. "Whether you’re buying clothes for school or purchasing textbooks for the upcoming semester, New York State is helping to make it more affordable."

And that sales tax exemption is important, given how much Americans spend at this time.

“Back to school shoppers spend more during this season than they doing during Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day combined,” said Amanda O’Connell, Assistant Director of Marketing and Business Development of Woodbury Common Premium Outlets.

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Along with the state sales tax exemption, there are all sorts of specials and special events at local malls during the season.

Simon malls including the Shops at Nanuet are running a back-to-school campaign inviting people to share their most memorable back-to-school photos for a chance to win Simon gift cards and a $5,000 shopping spree.

Woodbury Common is hosting a sidewalk sale Aug. 19-21.

The Jefferson Valley Mall will host a back-to-school event from 1-3 p.m. Sept. 3. It will kick off with an exclusive acoustic performance by Charlotte, North Carolina’s pop duo TRYON at 1 p.m. singing their National TOP 40 hit single “Somebody to Love Me.” Afterwards, the duo will sign autographs and take photos with fans in the mall’s center court. Then a back-to-school style session with the one and only Kendra Scott in the mall’s center court.

Ridge Hill is offering complimentary parking during Back to School Shopping Days: http://bit.ly/2b0Wphi

Remember, in New York State, qualifying clothing and footwear purchases are exempt from state sales tax year-round. Many states offer "sales tax holidays" leading up to the school year, but in New York State, clothing and footwear are always exempt from the state’s 4 percent sales tax when they are sold for less than $110.

Clothing and footwear items sold for less than $110 are also exempt from local sales tax year-round in New York City and the eight counties listed below. The combined state and local sales tax savings available in these localities could be as much as $9.65 on every $110 purchase. That includes a few Hudson Valley counties: Columbia and Greene as well as Chautauqua, Chenango, Hamilton, Tioga, and Wayne, along with New York City.

College textbooks: when they’re exempt from tax

Course textbooks—when full or part-time college students purchase them—are also exempt from New York State and local sales and use taxes throughout the year.

Students can make qualifying purchases from any bookstore (including college or university bookstores), by mail order, or over the internet. If sales tax is erroneously charged, students can file form AU-11 to receive a sales tax refund on the purchase.

For more information, see:
• Exemption on clothing and footwear
• College textbook exemption