Sales tax holidays allow shoppers to buy certain items tax-free for a short period. More than 15 states have tax-free weeks or weekends this year, and Connecticut is no exception. (The state's sales tax holiday week started Sunday, August 18.)
Here are a few things you need to know about the event.
Tax-free week in CT 2024
The sales tax holiday in Connecticut ran for a week from Sunday, August 18, to Saturday, August 24. So, this year's sales tax-free week has ended.
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Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced the annual sales tax holiday.
“This year’s tax-free holiday lands a little earlier to give families a head start for the back-to-school season, which will be here before we know it,” Lamont said in a release.
As he has in the past, Gov. Lamont also encouraged Connecticut residents to shop at locally-owned retailers and support the small business community.
During Connecticut's sales tax holiday, clothing and footwear items under $100 are exempt from state sales tax. You can buy multiple eligible items under $100 in a single shopping trip or on one receipt without paying state sales tax.
What’s included in tax-free week in Connecticut?
A wide variety of clothing and footwear were exempt from state sales tax during Connecticut’s tax-free week. Kiplinger has reported on items that usually qualify as tax-exempt. (This is not an all-inclusive list.)
- Hats, gloves, and earmuffs
- Jeans, dresses, shorts, and shirts
- Socks, sneakers, and slippers
- Rented uniforms, work clothes, and formal wear
- Undergarments, robes, and swimsuits
Note: Several items are still taxed during the tax-free week, like handbags and purses, jewelry, wallets and other accessories, and many sports equipment and supplies. For a complete list of what’s tax-free during Connecticut's 2024 sales tax holiday, visit the state Department of Revenue website.
CT sales tax for 2024
The sales tax rate in Connecticut is currently 6.35%. That rate typically applies to clothing and prepared food. (The state exempts groceries and most medications from sales tax.)
Data show that, during summer, families spend an average of more than $800 on back-to-school supplies and clothing. Some policymakers debate whether sales tax holidays are the most effective way to support families and individuals. But sales tax discounts can benefit some shoppers, which is partly why the events are popular.
Does Connecticut tax-free week apply to online purchases?
The short answer is yes — online purchases of items under $100 were exempt during Connecticut’s sales tax-free week. However, you must pay for the items in full when you place your online order. For more information, see Connecticut’s sales tax holiday guide.
Other tax relief: New tax cuts in Connecticut?
Connecticut sales tax-free week is just one form of tax relief offered in the state. Legislation signed by Gov. Lamont last summer has been described as the largest income tax cut in the state’s history.
The new Connecticut tax law reduces tax rates for middle-income families, increases the state’s earned income tax credit, and expands pension benefits for older adults. Income tax cuts in Connecticut became effective this year, 2024.
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