State adds back four percent sales tax

TRI-COUNTY AREA—For the next six months, any clothing or shoe purchase under $110 will cost a little bit more.
As of Friday, Oct. 1, New York state reinstated a four percent sales tax on clothing or footwear below $110. According to the state’s Department of Taxation and Finance, it remains in effect until March 31, 2011.
For Yates and Steuben Counties this means the total sales tax is eight percent: four percent from the state, plus four percent from the county. As Schuyler County does not have a sales tax on the county level, it will just be the state’s four percent.
Ashley Williamson, store manager for Peebles in Penn Yan, said she had only heard about it a few days before it went into effect. And that was only from a co-worker who heard it on the radio. She said some people may not notice it, but added customers watching their budgets certainly will.
“They’ll take it out on us,” she said.
However, Williamson said the extra four percent sales tax should not affect business “that drastically.”
“People always need to buy clothes at some point,” she said.
Jim Guild, owner of Famous Brands in Watkins Glen, said the increase would help his store because the sales tax will still be lower in Schuyler County than in surrounding counties. He explained people would be willing to travel for the four percent sales tax in Watkins.
“We had a big increase in business when it was zero percent,” Guild said.
He added that people “watching every penny” would notice it. Guild explained he had no intention of lowering prices at all because of the new sales tax.