Massachusetts · MA · Money & taxes
Massachusetts: Does the state have a sales-tax-free weekend?
Has a tax-free period
Yes. Massachusetts holds a permanent two-day sales tax holiday each August; in 2026 it was August 8 and 9.
On the holiday weekend, most retail items for personal use priced at $2,500 or less are free of state sales tax. Cars, motorboats, meals, alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, telecommunications services and utilities are excluded. The holiday is permanent in state law, but the Legislature picks the weekend each year, and the Commissioner of Revenue picks it if lawmakers do not act by June 15.
Conditions
- Single items priced over $2,500 are taxed
- Non-business purchases only
- Item must be paid for and received during the holiday; layaway and earlier deposits do not qualify
What the law says
The general court shall, annually, not later than June 15, adopt a joint resolution designating a 2-day weekend in August of that year as the annual sales tax holiday.
Sources
- M.G.L. c. 64H, § 6A (annual sales tax holiday) Official · malegislature.gov
- House Resolution H.5495 (2026), designating August 8 and 9 Official · malegislature.gov
- Senate Resolution S.3119 (2026) Official · malegislature.gov
- Sen. Cindy Friedman press release, June 11, 2026 Secondary · cindyfriedman.org
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Massachusetts Department of Revenue
- Website
- mass.gov
How bordering states compare
- Connecticut Has a tax-free periodConnecticut holds an annual Sales Tax Free Week in August for clothing and footwear; 2026 raised the price limit to $300.
- New Hampshire No state sales taxNew Hampshire has no general sales tax, so there is nothing for a holiday to suspend.
- New York No tax-free periodNew York has no sales tax holiday. Instead, clothing and footwear under $110 are exempt from state sales tax all year.
- Rhode Island No tax-free periodRhode Island has no sales tax holiday. State law only sets rules for how a holiday would work if one were created.
- Vermont No tax-free periodVermont has a 6% statewide sales tax but no sales tax holiday in current law.
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