Expect busy parking lots outside stores this weekend as Massachusetts waives its sales tax for many purchases. The state’s 6.25% sales tax will not be collected on Saturday and Sunday for most personal purchases up to $2,500.With new tariffs in effect, and the threat of 100% tariffs on computer chips, consumers may step up shopping to avoid price hikes in the future. “I don’t think it’s going to affect this weekend except for people who panic because they hear the tariffs are in effect. ‘I better get it now before the price jumps.’ It really isn’t clear when prices are going up,” said Edgar Dworsky of ConsumerWorld.org.But advocates urger shoppers to focus on getting a good deal.“You really have to comparison shop to know you’re getting a good price on the item and then saving an extra 6.25%,” Dworsky said. The Massachusetts sales tax holiday went from a tradition to a legal requirement after the passage of a law in 2018.The tax break applies only to items bought for personal use and cannot be applied to purchases made by or for businesses. It also does not apply to any item worth more than $2,500 and does not apply to layaway sales.All businesses must take part in the sales tax holiday if they normally make taxable sales of tangible property in Massachusetts or to purchasers in Massachusetts and are open on Aug. 9 and 10.List of items that do not qualify:MealsMotor vehiclesMotorboatsTelecommunications servicesGasSteamElectricityTobacco productsMarijuana or marijuana productsAlcoholic beveragesAny single item whose price is more than $2,500For additional details, state officials have prepared this guide.
Expect busy parking lots outside stores this weekend as Massachusetts waives its sales tax for many purchases.
The state’s 6.25% sales tax will not be collected on Saturday and Sunday for most personal purchases up to $2,500.
With new tariffs in effect, and the threat of 100% tariffs on computer chips, consumers may step up shopping to avoid price hikes in the future.
“I don’t think it’s going to affect this weekend except for people who panic because they hear the tariffs are in effect. ‘I better get it now before the price jumps.’ It really isn’t clear when prices are going up,” said Edgar Dworsky of ConsumerWorld.org.
But advocates urger shoppers to focus on getting a good deal.
“You really have to comparison shop to know you’re getting a good price on the item and then saving an extra 6.25%,” Dworsky said.
The Massachusetts sales tax holiday went from a tradition to a legal requirement after the passage of a law in 2018.
The tax break applies only to items bought for personal use and cannot be applied to purchases made by or for businesses. It also does not apply to any item worth more than $2,500 and does not apply to layaway sales.
All businesses must take part in the sales tax holiday if they normally make taxable sales of tangible property in Massachusetts or to purchasers in Massachusetts and are open on Aug. 9 and 10.
List of items that do not qualify:
- Meals
- Motor vehicles
- Motorboats
- Telecommunications services
- Gas
- Steam
- Electricity
- Tobacco products
- Marijuana or marijuana products
- Alcoholic beverages
- Any single item whose price is more than $2,500
For additional details, state officials have prepared this guide.
