Mangano Urges County Residents To Shop Local And Take Advantage Of Tax-Free Shopping
Do you need a new pair of shoes? Maybe you have your eye on that spring sweater but you’re worried it could tip your budget in the wrong direction. Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano is reminding residents that April 1st marked the date that New York State sales tax exemption for clothing and footwear under $110 was reinstated.
“With warm weather arriving, now is a great time for residents to get out into their communities to do spring shopping,” said County Executive Mangano. “The state sales tax exemption gives all of us a little bit of extra help to make something affordable that may have been just out of reach. I urge residents to keep their dollars local by shopping at their neighborhood stores and at local malls.”
The state sales tax exemption of four percent applies to all clothing and footwear sold for less than $110 per item. The exemption was first adopted in 2000, but has disappeared from time to time based on the state’s fiscal stability. From October 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011, the sales tax generated $330 million in revenue. In April 2011, the exemption was restored for items costing less than $55 and generated in excess of $200 million. The exemption is in effect year-round.
With statistics indicating that small businesses employ more than half of all private sector employees and that two out of every three new jobs during the past 15 years have been generated by small business, County Executive Mangano says it is vitally important that Nassau County residents shop locally. “Local employers are the foundation of our economic base. They play a significant role in connecting the community and assisting with attracting suppliers and distributors in similar industries.”
County Executive Mangano points out that money that is spent in local communities stays in the local economy and that business owners reinvest in their community. In addition, shopping locally promotes a stronger tax base as well as jobs and wages.
