Greenwich Post
Back to school savings through Saturday for tax-free week

Aug 21, 2007

State Reps. Livvy R. Floren (R-149), Lile R. Gibbons (R-150) and Claudia “Dolly” Powers (R-151) reminded residents, tourists and college students of a state sales tax holiday taking place in Connecticut this year. Exemptions from the state’s 6% sales tax include clothing, home weatherization products and college textbooks.

“People buying back-to-school clothing will not have to pay Connecticut’s 6% sales tax during the third week of August,” said Ms. Floren. “Students returning to college face a high cost for textbooks. However, Connecticut tries to ease some of the burden by exempting textbooks from the 6% sales tax. This applies to both new and used textbooks.”

•    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, Aug. 19, through Saturday, Aug. 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. 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.

“With many families thinking about back-to-school shopping, the week of Aug. 19 will be a special time to save on the sales tax and to benefit from other store specials,” Ms. Gibbons said. “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. Floren 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.


© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers