Tioga County to Eliminate
Sales Tax on Apparel and Shoes

Tioga County has taken the first step toward eliminating its 3.5% sales tax on apparel by giving its Economic Development and Planning Department the authority to pursue this legislation.

The legislature sent a request to State Senator Tom Libous and Assemblymen Winner and Dinga asking them to sponsor legislation that would allow Tioga County to eliminate its portion of the sales tax (3.5%) that is currently being collected on clothing and shoes.

County officials believe this will help revitalize the county's retail business community and stimulate sales in all retail areas. Increased retail spending is expected to more than offset the limited amount of revenue lost by eliminating sales tax on apparel and shoes.

This initiative was recommend by the Tioga County Department of Economic Development and Planning and the Tioga Community Revitalization Task Force based upon the success of the county and state clothing sales tax suspension that occurred this year during the week of January 18. Tioga's retail business community, which received a much needed boost during that tax-free week, feels a permanent suspension of the clothing tax could enhance their competitive posture in the future.

As a further initiative, county leaders are also asking Governor Pataki to consider permanently eliminating the state's 4% tax on apparel and shoes in his 1998 state budget. The elimination of both county and state sales tax on apparel would help Tioga County's small businesses to be more competitive with other states and counties which have large malls, factory outlets, or a lower sales tax.

Pictured above are Richard Eads of the Tioga County Department of Economic Development and Planning and Marte Sauerbrey of the Tioga County Revitalization Task Force surrounded by local officials (Photo by Joe Langevin). Pictured below are Bill Lawrence, owner of Bandler, Stiles, and Keyes in Owego, and Bill Caloroso of the Tioga County Legislature, discussing the elimination of sales tax on apparel.