Senate Passes Sales Tax Holiday

Boston – Senator Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) is pleased to announce that the Senate voted today to authorize a sales tax holiday to be held on August 10th and 11th. Throughout the holiday weekend, the 6.25 percent sales tax will not be applied to certain purchases up to $2,500. The holiday will save Massachusetts consumers nearly $20 million. The bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and will now be laid before the Governor for his approval.

“The sales tax holiday provides meaningful relief to the Commonwealth’s hardworking taxpayers each year,” said Senator Ross. “The holiday will provide significant savings and will stimulate local businesses as Massachusetts consumers take advantage of this opportunity. In the wake of the excessive tax increases recently approved by the Legislature, the short reprieve could not come at a better time.”

Over the years, the sales tax holiday has become a welcome event of the summer. The holiday was first authorized for one day in 2004, and was expanded to become a two-day holiday in 2005. It has run consistently every year since, with the exception of 2009.

The sales tax holiday does not apply to certain purchases, including: restaurant meals, tobacco, telecommunications, gas, steam, electricity, motor vehicles or boats. As previously mentioned, it also does not apply to a single product that costs more than $2,500.