By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – New York State and all eight counties of Western New York began a sales-tax free week on clothing purchases Tuesday.
The state's four-and-a-quarter sales tax will be eliminated on a number of items. In addition, local counties are waiving their four percent share of the tax. This sales tax free week comes just in time for back-to-school shoppers.
"Sales tax will be eliminated on most clothing and footwear items costing under $110 per item," said Erie County Comptroller Nancy Naples.
Naples says the sales tax free week provides a savings for consumers while adding a boost for local retailers and the economy. But Naples admits it is a bit tough for the county to give up the needed revenues during some tough fiscal times.
"Yes, the county won't receive as much in sales tax because of shopping that is exempt this week," Naples said. "But hopefully so many things will be bought, and people will be out in stores and restaurants spending, and that could make up for it."
Even though retailers are looking forward to the extra shopping spike, the Retail Council of New York State says some merchants complained because they were not given much notice of this sales tax free week. They didn't learn until late June.
The Retail Council says stores need time to prepare workers and computers for the tax change.
Sales tax free week runs through Monday, Labor Day. But another is planned for early next year. It's scheduled for the week of January 31st.