Connecticut penny rounding law
Symmetric rounding allowed from Jan. 1, 2027 (totals of 4¢ or less excluded). Until then, state guidance says round down only.
Not in effect yet. Until January 1, 2027, the Department of Consumer Protection’s guidance is to round down only when you cannot make exact change, because Connecticut’s cash-payment law bars charging cash customers more. The calculator applies the current rule until January 1, 2027.
Connecticut cash rounding calculator
Enter a cash total, or item prices plus your sales tax rate. The result updates as you type.
The rounding rule
From January 1, 2027, an in-person merchant may round a cash total (including fees and taxes, less discounts): totals ending in 1, 2, 6 or 7 cents may be rounded down and totals ending in 3, 4, 8 or 9 cents may be rounded up, to the nearest amount divisible by five cents. A total of 4 cents or less is not covered.
Who it applies to
Merchants selling goods or services at retail in person. Before January 1, 2027, the Department of Consumer Protection’s January 13, 2026 guidance advises businesses that cannot make exact change to round down (for example, $1.04 becomes $1.00).
Customer notice
Public Act 26-128 does not require a customer sign.
Make a printable Connecticut cash rounding sign.
Sales tax
The act rounds the tax-inclusive total and does not change how the tax itself is computed. More on sales tax and cash rounding.
What is not rounded
- Payment by check or other negotiable instrument, electronic funds transfer, money order, credit or debit card or other electronic payment is not rounded.
Pennies, enforcement and safe harbors
Section 3 amends Connecticut’s cash-acceptance law (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 21a-434(b)) so that rounding under the new law is not treated as charging cash customers more.
No separate penalty in the act.
The law
| Law | HB 5349, Public Act 26-128, §§ 2–3 |
|---|---|
| Signed | June 4, 2026 |
| Effective | January 1, 2027 (sections 2 and 3 take effect January 1, 2027) |
| Status | Law enacted, starts later |