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HB 5700

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

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patrick Biggins and 1 co-sponsor

HB 5700 adjusts sales and use tax rates on prepared meals from restaurants, caterers, and grocery stores in Connecticut, affecting consumer costs and state revenue.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
#cateringestablishments #grocerystores #meals #restaurants #salesandusetax
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Bill Summary · HB 5700

Legislative bill overview

HB 5700 modifies Connecticut's sales and use tax treatment applied to meals sold by eating establishments, caterers, and grocery stores. The bill adjusts the tax rate or classification of prepared food items across these three business categories. The specific tax changes would affect the point-of-sale tax obligations for these food vendors.

Why is this important

Food purchases represent a significant household expense, and changes to meal taxation directly impact consumer costs and business operations. Tax policy on prepared foods affects both individual affordability and the competitive dynamics between different types of food retailers (restaurants versus grocers). This also generates state revenue, making the tax treatment of these sales a meaningful budgetary consideration.

Potential points of contention

  • Consumer burden: Any increase in meal tax rates would disproportionately impact lower-income households that spend larger portions of income on food
  • Business competitiveness: Differential tax treatment between eating establishments, caterers, and grocery stores could unfairly advantage or disadvantage specific business types
  • Revenue implications: Changes to meal taxation affect state coffers; reductions cost the state while increases affect business margins and consumer prices

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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