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Sen. Ritchie on clothing tax break

Posted 4/4/11

To the Editor: Shopping for children's clothes can be expensive. With rising gas prices and an uncertain economy, most families in Jefferson, Oswego and St. Lawrence County tell me they have been …

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Sen. Ritchie on clothing tax break

Posted

To the Editor:

Shopping for children's clothes can be expensive.

With rising gas prices and an uncertain economy, most families in Jefferson, Oswego and St. Lawrence County tell me they have been looking to cut costs where ever they can.

I am pleased to report that the new state budget holds the line on new taxes while cutting the state's four percent tax on clothing purchases up to $55.

Albany raised that tax last year—one of more than 100 tax and fee hikes that were enacted during 2009 and 2010. Rolling back this tax hike will help put back $300 million into the pockets of working families.

Even better, the tax break will double next year on April 1, 2012, removing the state's four percent sales tax on clothing up to $110.

Cutting the tax on clothing will help local store owners who are still recovering from a difficult winter.

When I came to Albany in January, I told you I was committed to rolling back those tax increases that have hurt our economy, and helped make New Yorkers among the highest taxed in the nation. I am happy to report that we have begun changing the way the state does business by ending the practice of trying to tax our way to prosperity.

I believe this will help send a message that our state is serious about holding the line on new taxes, reducing the tax burden on families and businesses and creating an environment where companies will want to open or expand their workforce.

You can find more details about the new sales tax break for clothing at this link http://www.tax.ny.gov/bus/st/sales_tax_clothing_exemption.htm.

I'm hoping this will serve as just the first step in our effort to turn our state's economy around by making it a place where young families can make a home without the fear that rising taxes will force them to move to lower cost states to find a job.