Massachusetts

Shoppers in Mass. Get Tax Free Holiday Weekend

What to Know

  • The tax free holiday weekend takes place Saturday, Aug. 11, and Sunday, Aug. 12, only.
  • The state's 6.25 percent sales tax will be excluded Saturday and Sunday on most items sold in retail stores.
  • The tax savings doesn't doesn’t apply to cars, boats, meals, tobacco, or any items over $2,500.

Shoppers in Massachusetts can save some money this weekend as the state waives its 6.25 percent tax to help boost the economy this sales tax holiday weekend.

Gov. Charlie Baker signed into law an economic development bill authorizing the two-day sales tax holiday that takes effect today and tomorrow.

The state's 6.25 percent sales tax will be excluded Saturday and Sunday on most items sold in retail stores. The tax savings doesn't doesn’t apply to cars, boats, meals, tobacco, or any items over $2,500.

The Republican governor had earlier provided assurances he would approve the tax-free weekend but waited until Friday to sign the bill while he reviewed other portions of the more than $1 billion economic development legislation.

Baker vetoed two sections of the bill and asked the Legislature to amend six other sections.

He praised lawmakers for approving $250 million for the MassWorks program that provides grants to municipalities for infrastructure, and $75 million for another program that builds workforce skills.

The last sales tax holiday in Massachusetts was in 2015.

The tax-free weekend is welcomed by many merchants around the state who see it as providing a boost during an otherwise slow summer sales period.

Critics say it costs the state badly-needed tax revenue.

The National Federation of Independent Small Businesses is urging shoppers to take advantage of the sales tax holiday by making their purchases at smaller, Main Street stores.

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