latest
Massachusetts Sales Tax Holiday Weekend Set For Aug. 13-14
By Sam Doran
The Legislature on Monday set the dates of this year’s sales tax holiday weekend, settling on Aug. 13 and 14, when Massachusetts shoppers will get a break from state sales tax on most retail items less than $2,500.
The annual sales-tax-free weekend was made permanent by a 2018 law, which calls on the Legislature to set the dates by June 15 each year, otherwise the Department of Revenue gets to pick.
As part of the “grand bargain” law, retailers in 2018 dropped their push for a ballot question lowering the 6.25 percent sales tax to 5 percent. That law also raised the minimum wage will rise from $11 to $15 an hour over a five-year period, phased out time-and-a-half pay for workers on Sundays and holidays over that same period, and solidified the launch of a paid family and medical leave program overseen by the state government and backed by a payroll tax.
Economic Development Committee co-chairs Sen. Eric Lesser and Rep. Jerry Parisella sponsored the date-setting measures in their respective branches Monday.
Prior to the Senate’s vote, Minority Leader Bruce Tarr said the Legislature was being “proactive” and setting the date, but he found it “unfortunate” no other tax relief steps had yet been taken.
“While we are here to at least accomplish two days of sales tax relief, I would hope with the remaining time in this session that we would consider still expanding this sales tax holiday,” Tarr said, “as one of the best ways to be able to give tax relief to the citizens of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, who are watching these debates, and asking themselves — repetitively — if we have billions of dollars in surplus, and we are properly funding all of our accounts, then why is it that we cannot find the ability to reach consensus on offering substantial, responsible tax relief?”
The holiday does not apply to purchases of some specific goods or services: motor vehicles, motorboats, meals, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, marijuana products, telecommunications services like prepaid calls, natural gas, steam, or electricity.
-
Community7 years ago
National Shrine of La Salette Festival of Lights 2017 set to begin
-
Community6 years ago
Massachusetts State Police looking for good home for retired dogs
-
Crime6 years ago
Fall River ranked most dangerous city in Massachusetts according to report
-
latest7 years ago
Durfee student allegedly overdoses on marijuana
-
Community6 years ago
Video of Fall River Police goes viral
-
Causes6 years ago
Missing Fall River woman found deceased
-
Crime7 years ago
Fall River Police add names to most wanted list
-
Causes6 years ago
Fall River teenager reported missing has been found
You must be logged in to post a comment Login