TAX FREE WEEK AUG 30 – SEP 5

FELDER SAYS: SHOP 'TILL YOU DROP!

NEW YORK CITY'S SALES TAX ELIMINATED AFTER SEPTEMBER 1
TAX FREE WEEK AUGUST 30th – SEPTEMBER 5th

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 22, 2005

Brooklyn – Councilman Simcha Felder (D – Bensonhurst, Boro Park and Midwood) is reminding everyone that the City and State of New York have teamed up to once again provide New York City shoppers with a tax free week on clothing and footwear purchases under $110. Tax free week will start on Tuesday, August 30th and continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 5th. Felder said, ''This comes as welcome news for everyone, as they will get a break on their back-to-school shopping.''

Felder added, ''This year, tax free week is just the beginning of great news for both shoppers and business owners! I am pleased to announce that after September 1st, the City sales tax on clothing and footwear purchases under $110 will be permanently
eliminated, making shopping for clothing and shoes in New York City more affordable.''

Currently, there is a 4 percent City sales tax, but essentially after tax free week, the City's tax will be eliminated, dropping the total sales tax on such purchases to 4.375 percent. ''While the tax should be zero, eliminating New York City's sales tax is welcome relief for New Yorkers. I applaud Mayor Bloomberg's efforts to promote shopping and boost the
competitiveness of our local businesses. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this year's tax free week, and let's hope that every week soon becomes sales tax free.'' The next tax free week will be from January 30th through February 5th, 2006. For more
information, call Felder's office, 311 or visit the Department of Finance's website at nyc.gov/finance.

Tax-free week starts tomorrow


Governor George Pataki has reminded New Yorkers they can shop tax-free for clothing and footwear purchases that cost less than $110 per item starting this coming week -- Tuesday, August 30, 2005 through Labor Day, Monday, September 5, 2005.

The week-long sales tax exemption waives the state's four percent sales tax on clothing and footwear. As in the past, counties and cities across the State may elect to exempt their local portion of the sales tax. Fifty-seven counties and 17 cities, including New York City, will participate in this one-week exemption.

In addition, the 3/8 percent sales and use tax imposed in counties and cities served by the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District will also be waived if the county or city has opted to waive their local sales tax. The 3/8 percent will continue to apply in those counties and cities that have not opted to exempt their local sales tax.

Hudson Valley counties participating in the tax-free week include Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Rockland, Sullivan, and Ulster. Counties not participating include Orange, Putnam and Westchester.