Garden State Times

Today, Senator Carmen Amato (R-9) announced his intention to introduce legislation that would reinstate the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday. The sales tax holiday was recently repealed as part of the state budget negotiations.

"Reinstating the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday is a common-sense proposal that eases the financial burden of purchasing school supplies,” said Sen. Amato. “The misguided decision to strip New Jerseyans of this critical relief has only made it harder to provide for their children's education. At a time when household budgets are being stretched thin, this tax holiday would provide meaningful relief to families and educators."

Senator Amato's bill would reinstate the repealed sales tax holiday and occur during the ten-day period leading up to and including Labor Day. Under the bill, the following items would be exempt from the sales tax:

- Computers with a sales price of less than $3,000 per item;

- School computer supplies with a sales price of less than $1,000 per item;

- School and art supplies;

- School instructional materials; and

- Sport or recreational equipment

You can read a draft of this legislation online.

To speak with Sen. Amato, contact Chris Sivel, SRO Deputy Communications Director at [email protected].