House Republican Press Release

August 1, 2006

Press Office: 860-240-8700

State Representative Ryan Reminds Shoppers To Take Advantage Of Sales Tax-Free Week

Representative John J. Ryan, R-Darien, today reminded consumers that Connecticut’s “sales tax-free holiday” will take place shortly. From Sunday, August 20th^th through Saturday, August 26^th, all clothing and footwear under $300 will be exempt from the state’s six percent sales tax.

Rep. Ryan voted in favor of legislation that enacted the current one-week exemption from the state sales tax, which was initially established in August 2000. Proposals have been introduced in the Legislature to add a second week later in the year, but have not received approval.

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.

  “Not only do lower Fairfield County residents send far more tax payments to Hartford than we receive back in state services, but (as last week's news stories told), we are by several computations, the most highly taxed state in the country,” said Rep. Ryan. “It is unfortunate that we can only give our hard-working taxpayers this once a year benefit, so we urge you to take advantage of it as much as possible!"

Rep. Ryan and the House Republican Caucus 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. Consumers seeking more information on the state’s “sales tax-free week” can visit the Department of Revenue Services’ website at: www.ct.gov/drs