MN bill to eliminate sales tax on school supplies discussed in house tax committee

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota lawmakers are considering a bill whose authors say would eliminate state sales tax on school supplies.

The tax would be removed from such items as binders, calculators, tape, chalk and crayons among several other items.

While those in favor of the bill touted its ability to relieve taxes on working families, those opposed to the bill say the language is too vague, and costs too much money, while only saving families an estimated $11.89 per child.

“There is no way to ensure that this is actually for school supplies and not office supplies. I just want to make that clear,” said Rep. Aisha Gomez (DFL-Minneapolis). “So this means every pen that anybody buys in the state of Minnesota, any pencil, any envelope, is exempt from sales tax”

The committee voted to lay over the bill for possible inclusion in the larger omnibus tax bill.