The Massachusetts sales tax holiday is this weekend, August 29 and 30. The annual tax-free weekend is seen as a way to support local businesses while giving consumers an incentive to buy. This year’s tax free weekend may be especially helpful to businesses effected by shutdowns caused by the coronavirus.
Retail items up to $2,500, purchased in Massachusetts for personal use, are exempt from the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax this weekend. Some items that don’t qualify for the exemption include meals, tobacco and marijuana products, alcoholic beverages, and gas.
Gov. Charlie Baker made Massachusetts’ two-day tax holiday a permanent annual event in 2008.