Connecticut Tax-Free Shopping Week 2017: Dates, Information and More

Just in time for back-to-school, shoppers in Connecticut can buy clothing and footwear free of sales tax during the third week of August. While many states only get one weekend of tax-free shopping, the Nutmeg State has an entire week free of the 6.35 percent sales tax.

Here is what you need to know about the one-week tax holiday exclusion, according to the state's Department of Revenue Services.

What is it:

Shoppers will be able to buy certain items of clothing and footwear costing less than $100 per item tax free. The tax exclusion applies Connecticut and out-of-state retailers selling to Connecticut customers.

When is it?

The one-week sales and use tax exclusion begins Sunday, Aug. 20 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 26.

What can I buy?

The exclusion applies to each individual item of clothing or footwear sold. For example if you bought a pair of shorts for $75 and a t-shirt for $75, you would not have to pay the state's 6.35 percent sales tax. However, if a suit normally sells for $150 a retailer cannot split the items to qualify for the exclusion.

There are some articles of clothing that do not qualify for the exclusion. According to the DRS, they include:

• Any special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use that is not normally worn except when used for the athletic activity or protective use for which it was designed.
• Jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, and similar items carried on or about the human body but not worn on the body in the manner characteristic of clothing, and
• Articles of clothing considered safety apparel are fully exempt under a separate exemption in Conn. Gen. Stat. §12-412(91). (See Policy Statement 2004(4), Sales and Use Tax Exemption for Safety Apparel).

Discounts

If you purchase for 20 percent off it's original price of $115, you would not pay the discount because the cost would be $92. If a retailer offers a "buy one, get one" sale, the exemption applies as long as the total sales price for each item is less than $100.

However, if there is a "buy one, get one for a reduced price" sale, you cannot average the two prices to qualify both items for the exemption.

What about shopping online?

According to the DRS, the exclusion applies to items under $100 sold online, by telephone or mail.

"An article of clothing or footwear that costs less than $100 is sold during the exclusion week by mail, phone, or Internet when the customer pays the full purchase price or is fully charged for the item regardless of when the item is delivered. If an order for an article of clothing or footwear that costs less than $100 is placed prior to the exclusion week and the customer pays the full purchase price or is fully charged for the item during the exclusion week, the exclusion applies. If an order for an article of clothing or footwear that costs less than $100 is placed during the exclusion week and the article is not currently in stock, the exclusion does not apply unless the customer pays the full purchase price or is fully charged for the item during that week," according to the DRS.

More Info?

If you need any information, you can call the DRS at the following telephone numbers.

• 1-800-382-9463 (Connecticut calls outside the Greater Hartford calling area only); or
• 860-297-5962 (from anywhere).

You can also read more about the tax exclusion by clicking here.

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