Flood Proposes Sales Tax Holiday to Ease Back-to-School Costs for Families

HARRISBURG - Rep. Ann Flood (R Northampton) introduced legislation which would establish an annual back-to-school sales tax holiday to provide targeted relief for Pennsylvania families preparing for the upcoming school year. House Bill 1596 proposes a three-week sales tax holiday beginning the first Saturday in August and running through the third Saturday of the month. During this period, a wide range of school-related items would be exempt from state sales tax. "This bill is about helping families and teachers stretch their dollars during one of the most expensive times of year," Flood said. "By providing this relief right before the school year starts, we can make sure students are better prepared to succeed in the classroom." Under the legislation, tax-exempt items would include school supplies such as pencils, crayons, notebooks, backpacks and other essentials priced under $50. It would also apply to select instructional materials and art supplies, as well as personal computers and tablets priced under $1,500. "Back-to-school shopping adds up quickly, especially for households with multiple children," Flood added. "We've heard from families and educators who are feeling the strain of inflation. This proposal is a commonsense way to ease that burden." Many teachers also purchase additional supplies out-of-pocket to ensure their students are equipped to learn. Flood's proposal is designed to support both families and educators by cutting costs where it matters most. House Bill 1596 was formally introduced yesterday and referred to the House Finance Committee for consideration. Representative Ann Flood 138th Legislative District Pennsylvania House of Representatives Media Contact: Will Jones 717.260.6615 WJones@pahousegop.com RepFlood.com / Facebook.com/RepAnnFlood

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