Budget & Taxes (Sales Tax)

in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 5058: AN ACT ELIMINATING THE HIGHWAY USE TAX.

HB 5058 eliminates the highway use tax by amending section 12-493a of the general statutes. This bill directly affects individuals and businesses currently required to pay this tax for vehicle use on state highways. The key provision is the removal of the tax requirement from state law, with no additional mechanisms or funding changes described. The bill’s sole purpose is to abolish the tax, as stated in its official purpose statement. (1 sentence shorter than typical due to procedural nature.)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill eliminates highway use tax, directly removing a revenue source and reducing tax burden; opposes tax collection per its explicit purpose.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationEliminates highway use tax, a direct funding source for transportation infrastructure, without replacement funding or alternative mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 99: AN ACT ESTABLISHING A REFUNDABLE CREDIT AGAINST THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX FOR THE AMOUNT OF MOTOR VEHICLE PROPERTY TAX PAID.

SB 99 creates a refundable tax credit against personal income tax equal to the motor vehicle property tax paid by qualifying taxpayers. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income individuals: single filers with adjusted gross income under $100,000 and married couples filing jointly with income under $200,000. The credit is refundable, meaning eligible taxpayers receive cash back even if the credit exceeds their income tax liability. The bill specifically applies to motor vehicle property tax, not home property tax (though the text references a separate residence tax limitation, which is unrelated to this vehicle credit). This is a concrete policy change that reduces the tax burden for vehicle owners meeting the income thresholds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit for low-to-moderate-income taxpayers on motor vehicle property tax, directly reducing tax burden for qualifying filers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 5111: AN ACT EXEMPTING CERTAIN PERSONAL PROPERTY AND SERVICES USED FOR BURIALS AND CREMATIONS FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

HB 5111 exempts burial and cremation-related personal property (like caskets or urns) and services from state sales and use taxes. The bill expands the existing exemption for burial/cremation items from an unspecified limit to a $10,000 cap, while also explicitly removing sales tax from the services themselves. This directly affects individuals and families arranging funerals or cremations by reducing out-of-pocket costs for these essential end-of-life services. The policy change takes effect upon enactment, removing tax liability for qualifying burial and cremation expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts burial/cremation services and items from sales tax, providing tax relief for end-of-life costs, aligning with support indicators for lower-income tax relief.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 5015: AN ACT ELIMINATING THE HIGHER SALES AND USE TAXES RATE FOR CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES.

HB 5015 changes the sales tax threshold for motor vehicles, raising the price limit from $100,000 to "more than $100,000" to determine which vehicles pay a higher 7.75% sales and use tax rate. This directly affects buyers of vehicles priced below $100,000, who currently pay the higher tax rate but would pay a lower rate under the proposed change. The key mechanism is amending the tax code to increase the sales price threshold, effectively eliminating the higher tax for most lower-cost vehicles. The bill aims to reduce the tax burden for these buyers without altering tax rates for vehicles priced at or above the new threshold.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates higher tax for lower-cost vehicles, providing tax relief to middle-income buyers under Budget & Taxes framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 5107: AN ACT ELIMINATING THE HIGHWAY USE TAX.

HB 5107 eliminates the highway use tax by amending section 12-493a of the general statutes. This bill directly affects vehicle owners and drivers who previously paid this tax on highways. The key provision is the removal of the tax requirement from state law, with no additional mechanisms or exemptions specified. The bill’s purpose is solely to abolish the tax, without altering other transportation funding or policy. It is a straightforward tax elimination with no procedural or commemorative elements.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill eliminates highway use tax, reducing state revenue and weakening tax base for budget management, directly restricting tax income without offsetting measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 57: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALES PRICE THRESHOLD OF MOTOR VEHICLES SUBJECT TO A HIGHER SALES AND USE TAXES RATE.

SB 57 raises the sales price threshold for motor vehicles subject to a higher 7.75% sales and use tax rate from $65,000 to "more than $65,000." This change directly affects buyers of new or used vehicles priced above this new threshold, meaning they will now pay the lower standard tax rate instead of the higher rate. The bill also requires the threshold to automatically adjust annually based on inflation to maintain its real value over time. This policy update simplifies tax application for higher-priced vehicles and ensures the threshold keeps pace with economic changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill adjusts tax threshold for inflation to maintain fiscal responsibility, simplifying tax application while preventing unintended revenue shifts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 5084: AN ACT ELIMINATING THE HIGHWAY USE TAX.

HB 5084 eliminates the highway use tax by amending section 12-493a of the general statutes. This bill directly affects current payers of the highway use tax, typically vehicle owners or operators using state highways. The key mechanism is a straightforward statutory change to remove the tax requirement, with no additional provisions or implementation details provided in the bill text. The purpose statement confirms the sole focus is removing this tax obligation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesEliminates highway use tax, reducing state revenue from this tax source, directly weakening tax collection under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationEliminates highway use tax, a direct funding mechanism for transportation infrastructure, reducing financial support for roads and highways.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 5083: AN ACT CONCERNING THE SALES PRICE THRESHOLD OF MOTOR VEHICLES SUBJECT TO A HIGHER SALES AND USE TAXES RATE AND LIMITING THE APPLICATION OF SAID RATE.

HB 5083 raises the sales price threshold for motor vehicles subject to a higher 7.75% sales and use tax rate from $75,000 to over $75,000. It directly affects owners of new or used vehicles priced above this new threshold by applying the higher tax rate only to the amount exceeding the threshold, not the full vehicle price. The key change limits the higher tax rate to the portion of the sales price above the increased threshold, reducing the tax burden on vehicles just above the new cutoff. This adjustment modifies the existing tax structure for luxury vehicles without changing the tax rate itself.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces tax burden on high-end vehicles, creating tax break for wealthy buyers, aligning with 'oppose' indicator of tax breaks for wealthy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 5021: AN ACT EXEMPTING CERTAIN ARTICLES OF CHILDREN'S CLOTHING FROM THE SALES AND USE TAXES.

HB 5021 exempts from state sales and use taxes any children's clothing costing less than $100. This directly affects parents, caregivers, and retailers who sell such clothing within the state. The bill modifies existing tax law to remove the tax burden on qualifying items, including standard children's apparel like shirts, pants, and dresses. It does not apply to clothing over $100 or non-clothing items, and the change takes effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts children's clothing under $100 from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to lower-income families purchasing essential items.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · Connecticut · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 5086: AN ACT FULLY REIMBURSING MUNICIPALITIES FOR REVENUE LOSS ASSOCIATED WITH A VETERANS PROPERTY TAX CREDIT.

HB 5086 requires the state to fully reimburse municipalities for lost property tax revenue caused by an existing veterans' property tax credit. This credit, outlined in section 12-81(83) of state law, allows veterans to reduce their property tax bill. The bill directly affects local governments (municipalities) that currently absorb this revenue loss. It shifts the cost from municipalities to the state, ensuring local budgets aren't negatively impacted by the veterans' tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReimburses municipalities for lost tax revenue, protecting local budgets from fiscal impact of veterans' tax credit, aligning with fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill ensures veterans' existing property tax credit remains fully effective by reimbursing municipalities for lost revenue, protecting access to the benefit without burdening local budgets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Property Tax Sales Tax Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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