Gov. Ned Lamont held a press conference in West Hartford on Wednesday to speak about the annual sales tax free week.

Gov. Ned Lamont poses with Fleet Feet employees during a press conference Wednesday about the upcoming sales tax holiday. Courtesy of Fleet Feet

By Ronni Newton

Gov. Ned Lamont visited Fleet Feet Sports in West Hartford Wednesday morning for a press conference reminding consumers that Connecticut’s annual back-to-school tax free week will begin on Sunday, Aug. 21.

While the August tax free week is a long-standing tradition, this is the second time in 2022 the state has waived the 6.35% sales tax on most, but not all, clothing and footwear sold for less than $100. The previous tax free week was held in April.

Fleet Feet owner Stephanie Blozy told reporters that the annual weeklong sales tax break makes late August one of her store’s busiest seasons.

“We will do more sales in the next week than we will for the entire month of December,” Blozy told reporters. “This week is one that we really look forward to. It’s the perfect combination of kids going back to school, so they need new shoes for that to start up cross country and sports, but it’s also the height of marathon training season.”

Not included in the tax holiday is a shorter list of more specific items like boots, sports uniforms and activity-specific footwear such as roller skates, ballet shoes, or football cleats. Other still-taxed items include lobster bibs, party costumes, and athletic supporters. Click here for a list of examples of covered and not covered items.

The governor said consumers saved roughly $3 million during the April sales tax week, and that this week would be helpful to parents preparing for back-to-school season.

“Make sure your kid looks really sharp as they get back to school,” Lamont said.

Tim Phelan, president of the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association, praised the annual tax free week as a boon for consumers and retailers of all types.

“There is a dynamic effect if you’re a retailer that doesn’t sell clothing and footwear but if consumers are coming in and making a savings here, they may go shop somewhere else, said Tim Phelan, president of the Connecticut Retail Merchants Association, praising the annual tax free week. “They might buy a meal at a restaurant, they may go to another store.”

Tax free week runs from Sunday, Aug. 21 through Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022.

More information can be found in a report on CTNewsJunkie.com.

From left: Fleet Feet owner Stephanie Blozy, Mayor Shari Cantor, and Gov. Ned Lamont. Courtesy of Fleet Feet Sports

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