House Republican Press Release

July 23, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. FREY REMINDS RIDGEFIELDERS OF SALES TAX FREE WEEK

RIDGEFIELD- Rep. John H. Frey today urged Connecticut residents to take advantage of the state’s fifth annual “Sales Tax Free Week” from Sunday, August 17, through Saturday, August 23.

“Sales Tax Free Week coincides with end-of-summer sales and back-to-school shopping.  It’s the perfect opportunity for both residents and tourists to be smart shoppers and save money on the items they need most at this time of year – clothing and footwear,” Rep. Frey said.  "What better -- combine a stroll and shop in downtown Ridgefield." 

For this week only, the increased exemption replaces the $50 standard exemption for clothing and footwear.

This will be the sixth “Sales Tax Free Week” in Connecticut.  The state’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis has projected that the state will forgo about $3.3 million in sales tax revenues during the week.

“The annual sales tax free week, undoubtedly, has been enormously popular with Ridgefield taxpayers during the last six years. The state will offer consumers an opportunity to save tax dollars on their purchases of clothing and footwear during this special week,” Rep. Frey said.  “The summer holiday from the state sales tax helps shoppers maximize their household budgets, helps retailers with increased sales, and gives Connecticut’s economy a boost.”

Frey said shoppers can also take steps to maximize their savings on purchases.  Because sales tax is applied after the use of any coupons or discounts, if the final price is less than $300, the sale is exempt from taxes.  Layaways and rentals of clothing or footwear under $300 are also tax-free during the tax exclusion week.  For purchases costing $300 or more, sales tax is calculated on the full cost of the item.

Frey voted for the initial "Sales Tax Free Week" in 2000.

For answers to questions about the Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week for both consumers and retailers, the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) has posted details on its web site at www.ct.gov/drs.  The DRS web site also has links to other publications to help consumers understand the regular sales and use tax exemption on clothing and footwear.