Lieutenant Governor and Other State Officials Visit West Hartford to Promote Sales Tax-Free Week

Published On: August 20, 2025Categories: Business, Government
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Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz promotes sales tax-free week outside Westfarms in West Hartford on Aug. 20, 2025. Also pictured are DCP Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli (left) and DRS Commissioner Mark Boughton. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

At a Wednesday morning press conference at Westfarms, which spans the border of West Hartford and Farmington, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz joined other officials to highlight sales tax-free week, which runs through Saturday.

By Ronni Newton

Back-to-school has long been associated with buying new clothes and new shoes, and for the 26th year Connecticut is providing a “Sales Tax-Free Week,” during which an exemption from the sales and use tax applies for eligible items that cost less than $100 – no matter how many of those items are purchased.

Sales Tax-Free Week began on Sunday, Aug. 17, and will run through Saturday, Aug. 23.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz was joined by Connecticut Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Mark Boughton, Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli, State Rep. Kate Farrar (D-West Hartford), and Westfarms spokesperson Amanda Sirica to encourage consumers to take advantage of the savings as they purchase back-to-school clothing and footwear.

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz promotes sales tax-free week outside Westfarms in West Hartford on Aug. 20, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

“It’s always an exciting time,” Bysiewicz said of the back-to-school shopping experience. The sales tax exemption applies to any eligible item of clothing or footwear that costs less than $100 – no matter how many items you buy, she noted. “This is an opportunity for Connecticut families to save millions of dollars while they’re doing their kids’ back-to-school shopping.”

There are exemptions, including specialized sports clothing and footwear as well as costumes, and Bysiewicz directed consumers to the Department of Revenue Services website for complete details.

“Parents and caregivers can save on needed clothing and everyday footwear items to help their kids kick off a really great school year with confidence,” Bysiewicz said, urging everyone to take advantage of this time to shop – and to shop local. “What’s nice when you shop locally bus every dollar that you spend in a community stays right there to benefit that community,” she added.

DRS Commissioner Mark Boughton promotes sales tax-free week outside Westfarms in West Hartford on Aug. 20, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Boughton reiterated that the sales tax exemption applies per item. “So you could actually spend $1,000 and as long as each item is under $100 – $100 or less – you won’t have to pay sales tax.” The exemption also applies to online retailers, he said, but urged consumers to shop locally. “Westfarms Mall has it all,” he said.

In addition to the information available on the Department of Revenue Services website, Boughton said he recently did a webinar that’s available on YouTube and provides details about what is and is not eligible for the sales tax exemption.

DCP Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli promotes sales tax-free week outside Westfarms in West Hartford on Aug. 20, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Cafferelli joined the other officials in urging consumers to take advantage of sales tax-free week, but also warned consumers not to be taken advantage of by scammers.

“They will go to great lengths to make a quick buck. That includes targeting families who are shopping for back to school items,” Cafferelli said. “And the safest thing that families can do really is to shop in person at the well known retailers in your community. And it may not be realistic for everyone, but shopping in person allows you to inspect or test out the item, ask questions, and know what you’re getting, and to be able to understand the refund policies,” he said.

Scammers commonly use fake websites or listings to imitate legitimate retailers, offering steep discounts on items that are in demand at this time of the year – collecting payment and then either not delivering the product or delivering counterfeit or low quality items. Clicking on a link can cause harmful malware to be delivered to your device. “You’ll find these advertisements on your social media feeds, through emails or through text message even. … If the deal is too good to be true, it probably is,” Cafferelli said.

And, he added, even when shopping in stores, it’s also important to understand return and refund policies which differ between retailers and may also be different for clearance items. More information and advice can be found on the Department of Consumer Protection website.

State Rep. Kate Farrar (D, West Hartford) promotes sales tax-free week outside Westfarms in West Hartford on Aug. 20, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Wednesday’s press conference was held on the West Hartford side of Westfarms – the entrance in between the Macy’s and Macy’s mens/furniture stores – in Farrar’s 20th House District. She praised Westfarms as the “premier mall in our state,” and praised sales tax-free week as great for families and the economy.

“I think we have heard from families firsthand that many costs are going up for them, and this sales tax-free week that we have in Connecticut is just one other way that we are delivering for families,” she said, thanking the Department of Revenue Services for working with the legislature to ensure the initiative works.

“And here in West Hartford we are incredibly proud, not just of Westfarms but of our entire vibrant community,” Farrar said. Shopping at Westfarms, or elsewhere in West Hartford, or in other towns in the state is critical, she said. “You are not just buying that product you want to put on your kid’s feet or that they might need to play that sport, but you are really contributing to so many jobs and a strong economy here in Connecticut.”

Westfarms spokesperson Amanda Siricca speaks about sales  tax-free week during a press conference on Aug. 20, 2025. Photo credit: Ronni Newton

Sirica said that back-to-school time is the second-busiest season at Westfarms, second to only the holiday season at the shopping center which features 150 stores and restaurants. “It’s a peak buying time for families, and it’s a great opportunity to shop the savings not only of our retailers and special sales and offers that they’re giving to customers, but also in conjunction with the tax-free holiday.”

And for those shopping at Westfarms, Sirica noted that they have an app as well as a website that shows the sales and offers, and can help families plan where they are going in advance and set expectations. There are also special discounts for teachers at select retailers, Sirica added.

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