(TRENTON) – Flanked by book bags, notebooks, and many of the school supplies that will be tax-exempt in the coming week, Speaker Craig Coughlin, and Assembly members Paul Moriarty and Gabriela Mosquera held a press conference at a major retail store in Turnersville to highlight New Jersey’s first Annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday which begins Saturday, August 2. The tax exemption on back-to-school supplies will run until September 5.
“Between school and art supplies, new electronics like a laptop or tablet, and sports equipment, getting kids prepared for the new academic year can weigh on a family’s wallet in a big way,” said Assembly Speaker Craig J. Coughlin. “Our back-to-school holiday that begins tomorrow lowers the price tag of school items for the up to two million New Jersey families with children in a K-12 school, for our teachers, and our college students. Combined with $2 billion in direct property tax relief part of our historic budget, we are continuing to fulfill our commitments to lower kitchen table costs for New Jersey families.”
New Jersey has become the 18th state to institute a tax holiday for school supplies. The members discussed the importance of the tax break and the impact on New Jersey families and educators. The event was held at Walmart in Turnersville NJ.
“Every year, the average family spends upwards of $250 per child on school supplies alone and teachers spend more than $600 of their own money on classroom supplies for their students. Parents and educators should take advantage of the annual back-to-school sales tax holiday each year,” said Assemblyman Paul Moriarty (D-Camden, Gloucester). “We thank the Walmart team in Turnersville for hosting us today and highlighting the items, which are on the holiday tax-exempt list. This sales tax holiday is long-term, tangible tax relief for New Jersey families. They will see the savings in their wallets and their household budgets.”
“This is the first of many years, families will be able to shop tax-free between August 27 and Sept 5,” said Assemblywoman Gabriela Mosquera (D-Camden, Gloucester). “With costs rising for many household items, this is a much-need tax break for families and educators preparing for a new school year.”
Moriarty and Mosquera sponsored the legislation creating the Back to School Sales Tax Holiday as part of the FY 2023 State budget, which included one of the largest tax relief programs in State history and other initiatives to provide tax relief for New Jersey families.