Budget & Taxes (Sales Tax)

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 5054: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A PERSONAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTION FOR STUDENT LOAN PAYMENTS.

HB 5054 would create a $1,000 annual personal income tax deduction for taxpayers who make student loan payments. This deduction directly affects individual taxpayers in the state who have student loan debt and file state income taxes. The bill would amend tax law to allow eligible taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by up to $1,000 each year for qualifying student loan payments. It provides a concrete tax benefit without changing tax rates or creating new tax obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $1,000 annual tax deduction for student loan payers, reducing taxable income and providing targeted tax relief to middle-income taxpayers under tax policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Income Tax Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 182: AN ACT CONCERNING THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

SB 182 would change how Connecticut taxes Social Security benefits. It proposes two options: either exempt all Social Security benefits from state income tax for every taxpayer, or adjust the income thresholds for tax deductions on these benefits annually based on changes in the consumer price index (inflation). This bill directly affects Connecticut residents who receive Social Security benefits and pay state income tax. The key change would reduce or eliminate the tax burden on these benefits for qualifying individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces tax burden on Social Security benefits, providing tax relief for recipients - directly aligns with support indicators for middle/lower income tax relief.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 5024: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALES AND USE TAXES IMPOSED ON MEALS SOLD BY AN EATING ESTABLISHMENT, CATERER OR GROCERY STORE.

HB 5024 eliminates a 1% sales tax on meals sold by restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores in Connecticut. The bill amends state law to remove this additional tax from the standard sales tax rate applied to qualifying food purchases. This change directly affects businesses operating as eating establishments, caterers, or grocery stores that sell prepared meals. The legislation aims to reduce the tax burden on these specific food service providers by removing the separate 1% surcharge. The bill is currently under review by the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates 1% sales tax on meals, providing tax relief to restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Fees & Licensing Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 45: AN ACT CONCERNING THE HIGHER SALES AND USE TAXES RATE APPLICABLE TO CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES.

SB 45 adjusts sales tax rules for certain vehicles by raising the price threshold for the higher tax rate from $75,000 to over $75,000. It also removes the higher tax rate entirely for commercial vehicles (like delivery trucks or company vans). This change directly affects buyers of expensive personal vehicles (over $75,000) and commercial fleet operators. The bill modifies Chapter 219 of the general statutes to implement these tax adjustments. It does not change tax rates for standard vehicles below the new threshold.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax breaks for high-end personal vehicles (wealthy) and commercial vehicles (businesses), reducing tax burden for these groups. Does not provide middle/lower income relief, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 115: AN ACT EXEMPTING COVID-19 AT-HOME TEST KITS FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

This bill exempts the purchase of COVID-19 at-home test kits from state sales and use taxes. It directly affects consumers who buy these kits for personal use, removing the tax burden on these specific products. The key provision amends tax law to exclude these kits from taxable sales, meaning buyers pay no state tax when purchasing them. The exemption applies to both the sale and any subsequent use or consumption of the kits within the state.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts sales tax on test kits, reducing state tax revenue and weakening fiscal management per budget/tax policy focus.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts test kits from tax, reducing cost and improving access to essential public health tools for consumers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 70: AN ACT EXEMPTING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND PENSION OR ANNUITY INCOME FROM THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX.

SB 70 would exempt all Social Security benefits and pension or annuity income from state personal income tax for every taxpayer. This policy change directly affects residents receiving these income types, removing them from the taxable base. The bill amends Section 12-701 of the general statutes to implement this universal exemption. It creates a concrete tax relief measure without altering other income tax provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts Social Security/pension income from state income tax, providing direct tax relief to recipients, aligning with support indicators for tax relief measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Pensions Sales Tax

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signed · Connecticut · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 1: AN ACT MAKING ADJUSTMENTS TO THE STATE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2027, MAKING DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026, AUTHORIZING AND ADJUSTING BONDS OF THE STATE AND CONCERNING PROVISIONS RELATING TO REVENUE, SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER ITEMS TO IMPLEMENT THE STATE BUDGET.

This bill removes sales tax on clothing under $100, school supplies, and appliances, and eliminates a 1% tax on meals sold by grocery stores. It creates new tax credits for homeowners (increasing the existing credit), caregivers of elderly or disabled family members, and renters earning $75,000 or less for primary residence costs. These changes directly lower tax burdens for Connecticut residents, particularly lower- and middle-income households. The bill modifies sales tax rules and expands income tax credits to improve affordability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves sales tax on essentials and adds credits for lower/middle-income households, reducing tax burden per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves sales tax on school supplies, directly reducing costs for families and supporting educational access for students.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax credits for renters earning $75k or less for primary residence costs, directly reducing housing costs and advancing affordability for lower-income households.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Credits Property Taxes

in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 206: AN ACT EXEMPTING THE COST OF HEADSTONES UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

SB 206 exempts up to $2,500 of the cost of a headstone from state sales and use taxes. This directly affects individuals purchasing headstones for gravesites, reducing their out-of-pocket expenses. The bill amends tax law to exclude the first $2,500 spent on headstones from taxable sales, applying to all eligible headstone purchases. It creates a specific sales tax exemption for this item without altering broader tax policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts headstone costs up to $2,500 from sales tax, providing direct tax relief for individuals purchasing burial markers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 5116: AN ACT REDUCING THE RATE OF THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

HB 5116 would reduce the state's sales and use tax rate from its current level to 6% by amending Chapter 219 of the general statutes. This change would directly affect all consumers purchasing taxable goods and services, as well as businesses collecting and remitting these taxes. The bill's key provision is the specific rate reduction to 6%, replacing the existing tax rate in the law. This is a straightforward policy change to lower the tax burden for everyday transactions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces sales tax rate from current level to 6%, providing direct tax relief to consumers and businesses per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Procurement Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 5095: AN ACT EXEMPTING PET GROOMING SERVICES FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

HB 5095 would remove sales tax from pet grooming services, directly affecting pet groomers and pet owners who pay for these services. The bill amends the state tax code (chapter 219) to exempt pet grooming as a taxable service, meaning businesses would no longer collect sales tax on this specific service. This change would lower costs for customers seeking pet grooming and simplify tax compliance for service providers. The bill focuses solely on the tax treatment of pet grooming, with no other policy changes or broader implications outlined.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts pet grooming from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to consumers and simplifying compliance for businesses, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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