For the fifth year running, the state of Massachusetts is giving taxpayers a brief respite from paying taxes via the upcoming “sales tax holiday weekend,” tomorrow and Sunday. Now somewhat of a tradition in the state, the sales-tax holiday began in 2004 as a one-day event, and was expanded to two days in 2005.
According to Bill Rennie, vice president of the Mass. Retailer’s Association, the first sales-tax holiday was “wildly successful,” bringing in roughly $400 million in total sales. Rennie said that subsequent tax holidays have brought in about $500 million each, “on a par with pre-Christmas holiday shopping.”
This year, said Rennie, retailers are looking forward to the sales-tax-free weekend more than ever.
“Retailers are feeling the pinch of the high gasoline prices,” he said, adding that consumer confidence and spending are noticeably down this year.
The tax-free weekend has been pushed out a week from past years, making it closer to the start of school and just in time for back-to-school shopping.
During the two-day sales tax reprieve shoppers will be able to save 5 percent on single purchases of less than $2,500, except for motor vehicles, motorboats, meals, telecommunications services, and fuel. Rennie said that certain items—particularly big-ticket items—seem to sell better than others during the event, among them electronics and furniture. He added that some forward-thinking consumers have even taken advantage of the temporary sales-tax suspension to purchase snowblowers.
Rennie said that this year’s sales tax holiday weekend is needed more than ever by retailers and consumers alike, to help stimulate the local economy. And locally, shopping opportunities abound.
Crafts-minded people can find fiber supplies, gifts, and more in Harvard at The Fiber Loft on Mass. Ave. and Art and Cloth on Ayer Road. The General Store and Westward Orchards carry an assortment of supplies, gifts, and unique kitchen tools. For those considering remodeling projects, Rooms with a View on Ayer Road carries ceramic tile, marble, granite, decorative tile, sinks, window shades, area rugs, and more. Forward-thinkers can find those snowblowers at Toreku Tractor and Equipment in Ayer, along with chain saws, leaf blowers, and other equipment. People looking to upgrade their bedding can find new mattresses at Siesta Sleepworks in Acton. And in other surrounding towns, such as Boxborough, Clinton, and Maynard, retailers offer everything from clothing and school supplies to gifts, jewelry, and garden décor.
There is no upper limit on the amount of tax-free goods customers can purchase: multiple items priced at less than $2,500 each can be purchased during the two-day sales tax break.
Rennie’s advice to Massachusetts consumers this weekend? “Get out there and shop.”
