Expanded Sales Tax Free Week Begins Aug. 16

Connecticut’s newly expanded Sales Tax Free Week begins Sunday, Aug. 16.

The annual week-long sales tax “holiday” is designed to help families save money during the back-to-school retail season.

This year, most clothing and footwear items under $300 will be exempt from Connecticut’s 6.35% sales and use tax.

Previously, only items under $100 qualified.

The sales tax exemption applies to each individual item costing under $300, even if multiple items are purchased in the same transaction.

In addition, items like backpacks and athletic cleats were added to the list of eligible items.

The exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as from online retailers.

Sales Tax Changes

Separate from Sales Tax Free Week, the state is no longer collecting sales taxes on nonelectronic school supplies as of July 1.

That includes items like pens, pencils, crayons, notebooks, folders, binders, lunch boxes, and more.

the state is no longer collecting sales taxes on nonelectronic school supplies.

The changes were part of the state budget adjustments adopted by the legislature during the 2026 General Assembly session.

The Lamont administration said it hopes the holiday will encourage people to support the state’s locally owned small businesses.  

The tax free week runs through Saturday, Aug. 22.