Senator Carmen Amato has renewed her call to bring back New Jersey’s annual sales tax holiday for school supplies, which was discontinued as part of the state’s budget decisions for fiscal year 2025. The move comes as students across the state return to classrooms.
According to reports, ending the tax holiday led parents, teachers, and other shoppers to pay an estimated $35 million more in state taxes during the 2024 back-to-school shopping period.
“Taking away this critical tax relief has only made it harder for New Jersey families to afford their children’s education,” said Sen. Amato. “Reinstating the back-to-school sales tax holiday is a simple, common-sense step that provides much-needed relief to families and educators.”
“With new tax hikes, the threat of even higher property taxes, and an affordability crisis that is out of control, it’s time for Trenton to reduce the burden on households and start putting taxpayers first,” Amato said.
The sales tax holiday was enacted in 2022 with support from organizations such as NJBIA. It remained in effect for two years and allowed exemptions from New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax on certain items including school supplies, computers, and sporting goods.
Amato has introduced bill S-3654 which would restore the annual sales tax holiday from August 1 through September 30 each year. The proposed legislation would exempt computers under $3,000 per item; school computer supplies under $1,000 per item; general school and art supplies; and instructional materials from state sales tax.
