Senator Maziarz warns against return of clothing and shoe tax taking effect October 1

State Senator George Maziarz warned local families to do all their planned back-to-school shopping as soon as possible in order to avoid a Majority-approved sales tax on clothing that will take another bite out of their finances after it goes into effect on October 1.  Senator Maziarz voted against the tax reinstatement.     
 
On October 1st, New York State will begin collecting four percent sales tax on clothing and footwear costing $110 or less as part of the 2010-2011 state budget approved by the Majority who now control state government.  The sales tax reinstatement is expected to cost New Yorkers $330 million.  It was included in nearly $4 billion in new taxes approved this year so the state’s Majority leadership could continue to spend.    
 
Senator Maziarz said, “In the past two years, the Majority-led legislature has approved $14 billion in new taxes and fees, including elimination of the STAR property tax relief checks, increased motor vehicle fees, and higher personal income taxes. Now, state [Majority] are reaching into the wallets and pocket books of middle-class New Yorkers by implementing a regressive tax on clothing and footwear that will force consumers to pay even more at the check out counter starting October 1.”  
 
Items that were formerly exempt from state sales tax that will now be subject to the four percent tax that the state Majority approved as part of this year's tax-and-spend budget include; dresses, uniforms, sleepwear, coats, hats, Scout uniforms, socks and even diapers.   
 
Senator Maziarz worked tirelessly to pass the state sales tax exemption on clothing and footwear purchases in 2006 to help hardworking New York families better afford life’s necessities.  That action has helped some families save hundreds of dollars on back-to-school purchases each year. 
 
“Middle-class families across the state are still fighting their way out of the worst recession in a generation. Instead of easing the tax burden, Albany [Majority] have added an unnecessary cost to the essential clothing purchases parents make each year. I opposed the billions of dollars in [Majority] approved tax hikes because New Yorkers want Albany to do something about high taxes,” Senator Maziarz said.
 
 
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