March 1st, 2023
County sales tax ended for clothing purchases under $110
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Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, alongside Monroe County Legislators, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, anti-poverty advocates and local business owners today encouraged residents to take advantage of the county’s new sales tax exemption eliminating the county’s 4% sales tax on clothing and footwear sold for less than $110. These items are already exempt from the New York State 4% sales tax.
“Clothing and shoes are as much of a basic necessity as food and housing — and shouldn’t be taxed,” said County Executive Bello. “Thank you to my partners in the Monroe County Legislature for joining me in recognizing that record high inflation and rising costs are already putting too much stress on family budgets without the added burden of a tax on basic family needs.”
The sales tax exemption will save shoppers an estimated $12 million yearly and help local retailers attract more customers. The sales tax exemption applies to purchases in stores located in Monroe County and includes online purchases.
“Monroe County’s move to eliminate the 4% sales tax on clothing and footwear sold for less than $110 is an important step to make basic needs more affordable and accessible, which is especially important giving the rising costs that all members of our community have faced,” said Aqua Porter, executive director of the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI). “If we want to break the cycle of poverty in Rochester, we must take steps that shift power to enable upward mobility for all individuals and families. Monroe County’s new sales tax exemption is an important action that will have the greatest impact on our community’s most vulnerable members, those who often struggle to provide basic necessities for themselves and their families.”
“Local families could use every opportunity to save money on essential items. Food, shelter, and clothing are needs – not luxury items,” said County Legislator Albert Blankley. “I’m proud to join a unanimous bipartisan coalition of partners in government to sponsor and enact this legislation.”
“During record high inflation in a state with the record for the highest taxes, delivering savings to our families is more important than ever before. I am proud to have co-sponsored the initiative to eliminate the sales tax on retail purchases under $110," said County Legislator Sean McCabe. "This proposal would put Monroe County in a direction that most New Yorkers are not used to - one where the government is taking less of your money, not more. I am happy to support this relief and will continue working to find ways to keep more money in the pockets of our families, where it belongs."
“Monroe County’s bipartisan move to enact tax exemptions on clothing and shoe purchases under $110 will keep more money in the pockets of consumers and spur economic growth,” said Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy. “We commend County Executive Bello and the Monroe County Legislature on taking this common sense step in a bipartisan manner.”
The new tax exemption includes goods such as boots, shoes, coats, shirts and more. A complete list of items can be found at: https://www.tax.ny.gov/pubs_and_bulls/tg_bulletins/st/clothing_and_footwear.htm.
