One year after Governor Phil Murphy and legislative leaders in the New Jersey state Legislature scrapped New Jersey’s back-to-school sales tax holiday, Senator Carmen Amato (R-Manchester) is pushing to bring it back, arguing that families and teachers have been unfairly saddled with higher costs.

Amato noted that the repeal of the tax break forced parents, educators, and other shoppers to pay an estimated $35 million more in state taxes during the 2024 back-to-school shopping season.

“Taking away this critical tax relief has only made it harder for New Jersey families to afford their children’s education,” Amato said in a statement. “Reinstating the back-to-school sales tax holiday is a simple, common-sense step that provides much-needed relief to families and educators.”

In 2022, in an attempt to ease the burden on parents purchasing back-to-school items, state legislators enacted a sales tax holiday on school supplies and other essential items for parents and educators.

Under Amato’s bill, the sales tax holiday would run annually from August 1 through September 30. The measure would exempt from state sales tax a wide range of back-to-school purchases, including computers priced under $3,000; school computer supplies under $1,000; school and art supplies and instructional materials.

Amato framed the proposal as part of a broader fight against rising taxes and affordability challenges in New Jersey.

“With new tax hikes, the threat of even higher property taxes, and an affordability crisis that is out of control, it’s time for Trenton to reduce the burden on households and start putting taxpayers first,” he said.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Education Committee but has not yet received a hearing.