Conn. Businesses and customers query duty-free sales

AVON, Conn. — Connecticut’s 6.35% sales tax on clothing and footwear under $100 will be waived the week of April 10.

The tax-free holiday is added to the week in August preceding the start of the school year. It passed the legislature and was signed by the governor last month as part of a bill that also lifted the state’s 25-cent gasoline tax for three months.

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“We hope this will stimulate the economy and get people into the store,” said Stephanie Blozy, owner of Fleet Feet in West Hartford. “As we go back to school, Tax Free Week is one of our busiest weeks of the year.”

The week of April 10 is spring break for most students. Blozy said it gives families more opportunities to buy discounted clothes and shoes.

Many customers like Andrea McAndrew from Cheshire say it’s great for local businesses as it encourages people to get out and shop.

“I could probably go out and shop a little more and less online,” she said.

McAndrew and Blozy want the limit to be higher than $100. At one point it was $300 in the state. They think raising the threshold will help more people.

“We appreciate any type of tax relief as it stimulates people to spend and buy, we wish it was a little higher due to supply chain issues and overall cost increases, most some sneakers we are selling right now are around $130, $140. don’t technically count for no-sales,” Blozy said.

While the goal of the state’s duty-free vacation was to help kids get new clothes, Blozy said it’s possible to help adults, too. She said with the prices as they are, it can be difficult to get items under a hundred dollars.

Susan Macko, owner of Lemon Llama Kids Boutique in Avon, thinks $100 is a good limit because it helps the middle class.

“I think in most women’s and children’s clothing, a lot of the pieces are under $100,” she said.

Macko is looking forward to the week as it is also the week before Easter. She, like many others, was unaware of the tax exemption until recently.

“I only learned about it two days ago. A customer came in and told me about it,” she said.

Some think the state hasn’t publicized it enough. Many customers FOX61 spoke with on Saturday were unaware this was happening. Blozy said they plan to email their customers to let them know about the discounts. She said many might not know this because it usually happens in the fall.

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Items that will be zero-rated if under $100 are:

• old clothes
• Aprons
• arm warmers
• Athletic socks
• Bandanas
• Baseball hats
• Swimming caps
• Cycling sneakers (without studs)
• blouses
• chef uniforms
• Children’s bibs
• Clerical Vestments and Religious Vestments
• Diapers (washable or disposable, adult or child)
• Dresses
• Earmuffs
• Employee uniforms (such as police, firefighters, mechanics, nurses, post office)
• Evening dresses and rentals
• Bad weather equipment
• Garters
• Gloves
• Golf dresses, skirts, shirts, jackets
• Graduation caps and gowns
• Gymnastic suits
• handkerchiefs
• Hats, caps
• fashion boots
• jeans
• Joggers, tracksuits
• Leggings
• Leotards, tights
• Lingerie
• Nylons
• Tracksuits
• Shoe covers, rubbers, boots
• Painter’s pants
• Poncho
• Jackets, suits and rainwear
• Rented uniforms
• Bathrobes
• Belts
• Scarves
• Scout uniforms
• Shirts
• Shoelaces
• Footwear: aerobics, basketball, boating, running (without spikes), safety (suitable for everyday use)
• Ski sweaters and jackets
• Sleepwear
• slippers
• Sneakers
• Socks
• Square dance clothes
• Swimwear
• Tennis clothing
• Connections
• Underwear
• Wedding dresses, headpieces and cells
• Work clothes

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This does not include items such as jewelry, hair nets, headbands, wetsuits and ski pants.

Tony Black is a multimedia reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter and instagram.

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