House Republican Press Release

August 1, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. John Piscopo: Sales tax-free week is a great opportunity to save

State Rep. John Piscopo (R-Thomaston) reminds his constituents that “sales tax-free week” will run this year from Sunday, Aug. 17, through Saturday, Aug. 23.

Primarily viewed as a help to families preparing to send their children back to school, clothing and footwear items under $300 will be exempt from the state’s six percent sales tax. Rep. Piscopo has consistently supported and advocated for legislation that establishes a one-week exemption from the state sales tax, which was first enacted in 2000.

Examples of clothing exempted during the sales tax-free holiday are jeans, dresses, blouses, shirts, shoes, sneakers, scarves, gloves, and belts. Non-apparel items, such as jewelry, wallets, and luggage are not included in the exemption.

“I think sales tax-free week is a good way to make it more affordable for parents to make their back-to-school purchases,” said Rep. Piscopo. “With prices climbing higher and higher across the board in many cases, I urge my constituents to make the most of the sales tax-free week opportunity.”

Connecticut House Republicans first introduced the concept in August 1999 – modeled after a successful New York program – as a way of providing additional relief to Connecticut families while boosting the state’s economic competitiveness among neighboring states.

Rep. Piscopo serves the 76^th Assembly District of Burlington, Harwinton, Litchfield and Thomaston in the state House of Representatives.