State reminds shoppers of tax-free clothing
Press Release, NYS Department of taxation and Finance
The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance is reminding holiday shoppers of the tax breaks on purchases of clothing and footwear sold for less than $110.
“The holiday shopping season is always a bit more affordable in New York State thanks to the year-round sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear items sold for less than $110,” said Acting Commissioner Nonie Manion. “These savings on sales tax can add up and make a difference during the holiday rush.”
Every day is a sales tax holiday in New York State. Qualifying clothing and footwear purchases are always exempt from the state’s 4% sales tax when they are sold for less than $110. Some of the tax exempt items include aerobic clothing, athletic uniforms or clothing (but not equipment such as mitts, helmets, and pads), bathing suits, blouses, boots (climbing, fishing, riding, ski, waders), coats and wraps, dresses, hats, hosiery, slacks, shirts, shoes (ballet, bicycle, bowling, cleated, football, golf, jazz, soccer, etc.), sleepwear and underwear.
They’re also exempt from local sales tax year-round in New York City and these eight counties – Chautauqua, Chenango, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Hamilton, Tioga and Wayne.
If a locality doesn’t provide the exemption, tax will be charged at the local rate only. In Orleans County, that is 4 cents per $1.
In 2018, the state exemption alone is expected to save New York shoppers more than $850 million. Savings from the combined state and local sales tax exemptions are about $1.3 billion annually.
