(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that the state budget he signed into law this summer includes two reductions sales taxes that will generate savings for Connecticut consumers.
First, Connecticut is no longer collecting sales taxes on nonelectronic school supplies. This change, which went into effect on July 1, 2026, means that sales taxes no longer apply to items such as pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, paper, folders, binders, lunch boxes, and more. This sales tax elimination applies every day of the year moving forward, in perpetuity. Exempting nonelectronic school supplies from the sales tax is expected to save consumers approximately $6 million per year.
Second, Connecticut’s annual Sales Tax-Free Week is expanding this year to exempt even more purchases from the sales tax, helping to create additional savings for consumers during the busy back-to-school retail season. This year, the weeklong sales tax holiday will apply to retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items priced under $300—an increase from prior years’ limit of clothing and footwear items priced under $100. This exemption applies to each individual item costing under $300, even if multiple items are purchased in the same transaction. In addition, the list of items that are exempt from sales taxes during the week is increasing and will now include backpacks and cleats.
Sales Tax-Free Week begins on Sunday, August 16, 2026, and runs each day through Saturday, August 22, 2026.
“These sales tax reductions will help give consumers some extra savings, especially as the busy back-to-school season begins,” Governor Lamont said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of these savings and, as always, support our state’s many locally owned small businesses.”
“Connecticut families can save millions of dollars in total for kids’ back-to-school shopping, and this year, there’s even more savings in store,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “During Sales Tax-Free Week, parents and caregivers can save on needed clothing and everyday footwear items to help their kids kick off the school year with confidence. I hope our residents will take advantage of these savings and shop at their local small businesses, allowing those dollars to be reinvested in their communities.”
“Your budget will go a bit further during Sales Tax-Free Week this year with our new exemptions and increased dollar threshold,” Connecticut Revenue Services Commissioner Mark Boughton said. “It’s a win-win for Connecticut residents and local businesses.”
The legislation eliminating sales taxes from nonelectronic school supplies was included in Public Act 26-76. The legislation expanding Sales Tax-Free Week was included in Public Act 26-68.
Guidance on these sales tax reductions
The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services has published detailed guidance on these sales tax changes:
- For information on the elimination of sales taxes on nonelectronic school supplies, click here.
- For information on Sales Tax-Free Week, click here.