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GREENWICH, Conn. Whether you need back-to-school clothes for the kids or are looking to expand your own wardrobe, Greenwich shoppers may want to wait until Sunday, when the states annual sales tax holiday begins.
For one week, shoppers across Connecticut will get a break from the 6.35 percent sales tax on most clothing and footwear less than $300 each. This year, shoppers are expected to save $7.5 million during tax-free week, said Sarah Kaufman, a spokesperson for the state Department of Revenue Services.
After the sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear costing less than $50 was eliminated last July, Kaufman said more people took advantage of tax-free week last year than in previous years. The same is expected this year.
People buying less expensive clothing didn't feel they had to wait to do their shopping, since most of what they were buying was under $50 each, she said. But, since everything is taxed now, no matter what the price, people are making a more conscious choice to wait.
During the sales tax holiday, which is from Sunday through Aug. 25, sales tax is not applied to everyday clothing and shoes that are less than $300 each. Special items, like athletic clothing and footwear, do not qualify for the exemption. Jewelry, belts, handbags and other accessories also dont qualify.
If an item is priced more than $300, but the shopper has a coupon that brings the amount to less than $300, the item wont be taxed. The exemption also applies to items purchased online, by phone, by mail and to items placed on layaway that week.
Helping people save during the back-to-school shopping season was one of the thoughts behind the program, Kaufman said. Its supposed to be an incentive to get people into the stores and get more money moving again.
More information about tax-free week is available online on the Department of Revenue Service's website.
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