NYC Sales Tax Rules for Back to School Shopping

Hard to believe, but it’s time for back to school shopping.

Here’s what you need to know about NYC and New York State sales taxes, to help plan your shopping and not get cheated by paying tax on something that’s exempt from tax.

The total sales tax rate in New York City is 8.875%, but many things are excluded, including clothing or footwear less than $110.

School supplies including notebooks and folders, pens and backpacks, scissors and gluesticks, are not exempt from sales tax, which is unfortunate. 

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There is no sales tax on any item of clothing or footwear that costs less than $110.

Any item of clothing or footwear that costs $110 or more is subject to the full 8.875% tax rate.

Sales tax is calculated per item, so even if you buy two or more items that add up to $110 or more, you pay tax only on individual items that cost $110 or more.

Here are the specifics from the official NYC government website.

Sales tax includes:

• New York City local sales and use tax rate of 4.5%
• New York State sales and use tax rate of 4%
• Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District surcharge of 0.375%

Pay no sales tax in NYC on these items:

• Unprepared and packaged food products, dietary foods, certain beverages, and health supplements sold by food markets
• Diapers
• Drugs and medicines for people
• Medical equipment and supplies for home use
• Newspapers, magazines, and other periodicals
• Prosthetic aids and devices, hearing aids, and eyeglasses
• Laundry and dry cleaning services
• Shoe repair services
• Some items used to make or repair clothing and footwear
• Veterinary medical services

Click here for information on how to make a sales tax complaint in NYC.

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