“Christmas in July”—Legislation Proposed at RI General Assembly for Summer Sales Tax Holiday
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Legislation has been introduced at the Rhode Island General Assembly that would create an annual sales tax holiday in the summer.
Rhode Island State Representative Jon Brien (I-Dist. 49, Woonsocket, North Smithfield) introduced the bill (2023-H 5805) touted as “Christmas in July in RI," which would create a sales and use tax holiday for the second Saturday and Sunday in July annually, exempting items below $2,500 from the state’s 7-percent sales tax.
The holiday would not apply to sales of telecommunications, tobacco products, gas, steam, oil, electricity or motor vehicles.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“Other states have seen success with sales tax holidays in stimulating their economies,” said Brien. “Christmas in July in RI would be a nice hook to lure in shoppers from nearby states to Rhode Island. Not only is it a great way to give back to businesses in the state, but it would help out others, as well, since July is the perfect time to enjoy the state’s restaurants, beaches and other attractions.”
Other States -- and RI Legislators in Support
Several states currently have sales tax holidays. Most jurisdictions use the holiday to exempt clothing and back-to-school supplies from sales tax.
Since clothing is already sales tax-exempt in Rhode Island, Brien’s legislation would be modeled on the Massachusetts tax holiday, which currently exempts all taxable items below $2,500.
The legislation, which is cosponsored by Representatives Arthur J. Corvese (D-Dist. 55, North Providence), Jacquelyn M. Baginski (D-Dist. 17, Cranston), House Minority Leader Michael W. Chippendale (R-Dist. 40, Foster, Glocester, Coventry), Patricia Serpa (D-Dist. 27, West Warwick, Coventry), Edward T. Cardillo Jr. (D-Dist. 42, Johnston, Cranston), Robert D. Phillips (D-Dist. 51, Woonsocket, Cumberland) and Brian C. Newberry (R-Dist. 48, North Smithfield, Burrillville), has been referred to the House Finance Committee.
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