There’s a plan for a tax-free holiday for back to school purchases.
It’s still just an idea, but state Representative André Jacque (R-Bellevue) says a tax break on school supplies is an idea “worthy of exploration.” He says, “When you’re talking about spending per child, it’s exceeding $600 for K-12 and over $1000 for college students.”
New legislation still being drafted would help financially-strained families find at least a little relief with a three-day sales tax-free holiday on school supplies. Jacque says this measure would exempt items such as pens, paper, crayons, and even electronics and apparel. But, at what cost to state revenue? “I don’t have that specific figure but I will say that whatever that figure is, that’s ultimately a tax cut.”
Total national spending on back-to-school items is close to $68.8 billion, according to the National Retail Foundation, and is the second largest consumer-spending event for retailers behind the Christmas holiday season. Jacque acknowledges that any legislation would be too late to do any good this year, but he hopes to have this in effect for next school year.
State Representatives Chad Weininger (R-Green Bay) is the main sponsor of the bill. The two lawmakers are looking for more co-sponsors to the proposal. Similar proposals have passed in several other states.
