Massachusetts Tax Free Weekend – 29/30 August 2020

​After lots of back and forth discussion Massachusetts has finally decided to have a “Tax Free Weekend” on 29 and 30 August 2020. That means that this week is a great time to finalize some of those big decorating, window covering, carpeting and accessory purchases that you’ve been thinking about – but just haven’t gotten around to making.

​Since there’s always a lot of confusion about the rules for the MA Tax Free Weekend here are the main points:

• When is the 2020 Tax Free Weekend?
  • The sales tax holiday for 2020 will occur on August 29th and 30th.
• What items are covered?
  • During the sales tax holiday weekend, purchases by individuals of most retail items are not subject to the state sales tax.
  • Retail items of up to $2,500, purchased in Massachusetts for personal use during these two days, will be exempt from sales tax.
• What if I purchase multiple items that each cost $2,500 or less, but the total price exceeds $2,500?  Are all items eligible for the sales tax holiday exemption?
  • As long as the price of each individual item is $2,500 or less, you can purchase as many items as you want together, tax-free, even if all the items added together cost more than $2,500.
• Do all retail items qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption?
  • No. The following items do not qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption:
    • Meals
    • Motor vehicles
    • Motorboats
    • Telecommunications services
    • Gas
    • Steam
    • Electricity
    • Tobacco products
    • Marijuana or marijuana products
    • Alcoholic beverages, and
    • Any single item whose price is more than $2,500.
• What about internet sales?  Do those sales qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption?
  • Yes. If you order and pay for an eligible item over the internet on the sales tax holiday, Eastern Daylight Time, that item will qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption.  No sales tax is due on that purchase, even if delivery of the item occurs after the sales tax holiday weekend.
• Do I have to take home an item I purchase on the sales tax holiday weekend for that purchase to qualify for the sales tax holiday exemption?
  • No. As long as you pay for the item in full on the sales tax holiday weekend, you can arrange for delivery of the item after the sales tax holiday weekend.  

 
If you want more details straight from the Government here’s a link to their Sales Tax Holiday website’s FAQs:
            https://www.mass.gov/info-details/sales-tax-holiday-frequently-asked-questions
 
So, take a look and then give me a call if you want to make some of those decorating purchases that we’ve previously discussed, or some that you just thought of. As long as the purchase is made on either the 29th or 30th there’s no sales tax – even if the product isn’t delivered or installed until a later date.
 
So get cracking! You’ll save at least 6.25% on your purchases – and to further entice shoppers many stores are even running other sales in conjunction with the Tax Free Weekend. I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.