Finger Lakes Today

Senator Helming is urging constituents to sign her petition and support her bill (S.3442) in the State Legislature, which aims to exempt school supplies, including expensive computer equipment, from the 4% state sales and use tax.

According to the National Retail Federation, families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, school supplies, and electronics for back-to-school shopping. This figure is about $15 less than last year’s record of $890.07 but remains the second-highest amount in the survey’s history. Total back-to-school spending is expected to reach $38.8 billion, also the second-highest figure on record after last year’s high of $41.5 billion.

“Families across New York continue to pay higher prices, whether at the gas pump or the grocery store. Family budgets get squeezed even tighter during back-to-school season. Average spending on electronics and school supplies alone is upwards of $450. Let’s be smart and provide some tax relief to support our students, parents and teachers,” said Senator Helming.

Currently in New York, clothing and footwear under $110 are exempt from the state 4% sales and use tax. Senator Helming’s bill would extend this tax exemption to school supplies for the one-week period preceding Labor Day to give families some additional relief.

Senator Helming’s petition is here.