Connecticut's Tax-Free Week Begins Today!

If you have back-to-school clothes and shoe shopping to do, this is the week to do it.

Starting today, Connecticut’s “Sales Tax Holiday” begins, giving back-to-school and other shoppers a seven-day hiatus from paying the state sales tax on clothing and footwear up to $300.

“For Connecticut, it is a big deal,” Manager Karen Tarantino said. “The fact that (consumers) avoid the sales and footwear is an incentive.”

Last year, the state increased the sales tax from 6 percent to 6.35 percent, and removed the tax exemption on clothing items and shoes below $50. That makes tax-free week a better deal than ever, Tarantino said.

To further entice shoppers to stores, many outlets are offering discounts on clothes and shoes. It is a good time for the state to give a break, because it is the time most parents are doing their back-to-school shopping for their kids, Tarantino said.

Tax-free week lasts through Saturday, Aug. 25. It is sponsored by the state’s Department of Revenue Services, whose website has a comprehensive list of the rules regarding tax-free week.

Deals/Events

Most stores are offering big discounts on clothes and footwear.  The and in Waterford are both offering savings, and most stores in the Crystal Mall are giving 30 percent off of qualifying items, Tarantino said.

There are also some events at the Crystal Mall. On Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be a "Kidgits Back-to-School Party" featuring a mad scientist.

On Saturday, Aug. 25, there is an event called "Back at It" at the mall from 12 to 3 p.m. where there will be several gifts and giveaways. Also that day, from 10 a.m. to 9 a.m., there will be a sidewalk sale at the mall and events and activities for children.