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HB 5976

AN ACT EXEMPTING CERTAIN PERSONAL CARE ITEMS FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anthony Nolan

Connecticut bill would eliminate sales tax on unspecified personal care items, reducing consumer costs but creating state revenue loss requiring budget adjustments.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
#salesandusetaxexemptions
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Bill Summary · HB 5976

Legislative bill overview

HB 5976 proposes to exempt specific personal care items from Connecticut's sales and use taxes. The bill was introduced by Representative Anthony Nolan and referred to the Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding on January 22, 2025. The legislation does not specify which personal care items would be exempted, though such measures typically target essentials like menstrual products, diapers, or other hygiene necessities.

Why is this important

Sales tax exemptions on personal care items directly reduce costs for consumers on necessities they cannot avoid purchasing. This affects household budgets, particularly for lower-income families who spend a higher percentage of income on these goods. The measure also reflects ongoing policy debates about whether "essential" items should bear the same tax burden as luxury goods.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue impact: Removing sales tax revenue from the state budget requires offsetting cuts or tax increases elsewhere, which faces fiscal concerns during budget deliberations
  • Definition disputes: Determining which items qualify as exempt personal care products can be contentious (is all skincare exempt, or only medical-grade products?)
  • Precedent concerns: Expanding tax exemptions may encourage similar exemption requests for other product categories, complicating the tax code

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

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