Massachusetts · MA · Money & taxes
Massachusetts: Are groceries taxed?
Groceries exempt
Massachusetts exempts food bought for home consumption from its 6.25% sales tax.
The general sales tax rate is 6.25%, but sales of food products for human consumption are exempt. Massachusetts' list of exempt food products includes candy and soft drinks, which many states tax. Meals sold for eating on or off the premises are not covered, and alcoholic beverages and dietary supplements are excluded.
What the law says
Sales of food products for human consumption.
Sources
- M.G.L. c. 64H, § 6(h) Official · malegislature.gov
- M.G.L. c. 64H, § 2 (6.25% rate) Official · malegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Massachusetts Department of Revenue
- Website
- mass.gov
How bordering states compare
- Connecticut Groceries exemptConnecticut exempts food products for human consumption from its 6.35% sales tax; meals are taxed at 7.35%.
- New Hampshire No state sales taxNew Hampshire has no general sales tax, so groceries are not taxed by the state.
- New York Groceries exemptNew York exempts most food and food products sold by grocery stores from sales tax.
- Rhode Island Groceries exemptRhode Island exempts food and food ingredients from its 7% sales tax.
- Vermont Groceries exemptVermont exempts food sold to be eaten off the premises from its 6% sales tax. Soft drinks are taxed.
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