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HB 5111

AN ACT EXEMPTING CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY AND SERVICES USED FOR BURIALS AND CREMATIONS FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jason Rojas

Connecticut bill exempts funeral and cremation services from sales tax to reduce end-of-life expenses for families, though scope and revenue impact remain unclear.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Finance, Revenue and Bonding
#burial #cremation #salesandusetaxexemptions
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 5111

Legislative bill overview

HB 5111 proposes to exempt certain personal property and services related to burials and cremations from Connecticut's sales and use taxes. This would remove the tax burden on items and services directly connected to end-of-life arrangements, potentially including caskets, urns, embalming services, and cremation fees.

Why is this important

Funeral and cremation services represent significant out-of-pocket expenses for families during emotionally difficult times, often costing thousands of dollars. Tax exemptions on these services could reduce financial burden on bereaved families, though the revenue impact to the state would depend on how broadly "certain" services are defined in the final legislation.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's language "certain personal property and services" is vague—unclear which items qualify (e.g., do flowers, memorial programs, or reception services count?)
  • Revenue impact: Removing sales tax on a significant consumer expense reduces state funding without clear offsets or dedicated replacement revenue sources
  • Equity concerns: Tax exemptions may disproportionately benefit higher-income families who use expensive funeral services, while lower-income families using basic cremation might see minimal benefit
  • Definition of necessity: Determining which funeral goods are essential versus luxury items (e.g., premium caskets versus basic options) creates regulatory complexity

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

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