House Republican Press Release

August 1, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. FREY: ANNOUNCES BACK TO SCHOOL TAX SAVINGS

RIDGEFIELD– State Representative John Frey of Ridgefield, today reminded residents, tourists and college students of a state sales tax holidays taking place in Connecticut this year. Exemptions from the state’s six percent sales tax include clothing, home weatherization products and college textbooks.

Rep. Frey said, “People buying back to school clothing will not have to pay Connecticut’s six percent sales tax during the third week of August.”

“Students returning to college face a high cost for textbooks. However, Connecticut tries to ease some of the burden by exempting textbooks from the six percent sales tax. This applies to both new and used textbooks. With a billion dollar surplus this relief was the least we could do for our students,” added Frey.

• Connecticut shoppers will have one week to buy clothing and footwear items costing under $300 without paying Connecticut sales tax.  This year, the tax free week runs to from Sunday, August 19 through Saturday, August 25.  Throughout the year, clothes and shoes up to $50 are exempt.

• The legislature also has permanently exempted home energy conservation and weatherization products from the Connecticut sales tax. Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed that permanent exemption into law on June 4, 2007. This sales tax holiday had previously been temporary, but the legislature voted to make it permanent.

• Sales of college textbooks to full-time and part-time students enrolled at institutions of higher education are exempt, with presentation of valid student identification cards. College textbooks means new or used books and workbooks required or recommended for courses. The exemption in effect since 2000 has been expanded to include sales to students at private occupational schools.

Rep. Frey said, “With many families thinking about back to school shopping, the week of August 19 will be a special time to save on the sales tax and to benefit from other store specials. Connecticut families are going to get much needed relief before their children go back to school. As families prepare for the new school year and the home heating season these are some savings that are available and I hope consumers can make the most of them.”

Rep. Frey also noted, “In addition, homeowners can take steps to save on energy and home heating costs by purchasing certain weatherization products without paying the sales tax.”

These products are:

• Programmable thermostats;
• Window film;
• Caulking;
• Window and door weather strips;
• Insulation;
• Water heater blankets;
• Water heaters;
• Boilers that meet the federal Energy Star standard. (Energy Star qualified boilers have an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating of 85% or greater.);
• Natural gas furnaces that meet the federal Energy Star standard;
• Propane furnaces that meet the federal Energy Star standard;
• Windows that meet the federal Energy Star standard;
• Doors that meet the federal Energy Star standard;
• Oil furnaces that are not less than 84% efficient based on the AFUE rating; and
• Ground-based heat pumps that meet the minimum federal energy efficiency rating.