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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 5, 2015 01:00 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kevin J. Boyle and Rep. Thomas P. Murt |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Tax Holiday for Computers and School Supplies |
| In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation that annually excludes computers and school supplies from the sales and use tax during the second weekend in August. In 2014, 17 states created tax-free holidays to exempt many back-to-school items from state sales tax. As the cost of buying school supplies, including computers and tablets, continues to increase each year, many families struggle to afford these basic necessities for their children’s educational needs. In Philadelphia alone, 39 percent of children live below the federal poverty level, and parents from economically-challenged backgrounds often purchase food and clothing for their children instead of back-to-school supplies. The education cuts experienced in Pennsylvania over the past four years has only exacerbated the problem, as school districts are unable to supplement the needs of students. Often teachers provide these essential items from money out of their own pockets. A tax-free holiday on back-to-school items can help defray the cost of purchasing these items for parents, students and teachers. Under our legislation, computers and tablets with a sales price of not more than $1,000, and school supplies, art supplies and instructional materials with a sales price of not more than $50 will qualify for the sales tax holiday each year. Please join us in sponsoring this important legislation that ensures each student throughout the Commonwealth is fully prepared for the classroom. |