Massachusetts hosts a tax-free weekend each year to enable consumers to save money on back-to-school supplies and other eligible products. The tax-free weekend is set for August 14–15, 2021, this year. Customers can buy specific things during this time without having to pay the state’s 6.25% sales tax.
But in Massachusetts, what exactly qualifies as a tax-free item? Clothing purchases under $175 and any single piece of personal property costing $2,500 or less are also considered eligible products. Computers, laptops, tablets, and related peripherals including keyboards and printers are included in this category. The tax exemption does not apply to any things utilized in a trade or business, though.
What about handbags, then? In Massachusetts, handbags are classed as a type of clothing and are therefore exempt from paying sales tax on weekends when there are no sales taxes. The tax exemption, however, will only be applied to the first $175 of the purchase price if a handbag costs more than that amount.
It’s significant to remember that Massachusetts does not generally exempt hygiene products like soap from sales tax. Therefore, the state’s 6.25% sales tax is often applied to soap. The same holds true for other personal care items like toothpaste and shampoo.
What about personal protective equipment (PPE) like face masks and hand sanitizer, for example? PPE is not exempt from sales tax in Massachusetts unless it is bought for a medical facility. It’s crucial to review local laws because several localities in the state have passed local sales tax exemptions for PPE.
Finally, Massachusetts’ tax-free weekend provides a fantastic chance for consumers to save money on eligible purchases. It’s crucial to know which things qualify for the tax exemption and which do not, though. Toilet paper and handbags can be exempt from sales tax, while soap and PPE might not be. As always, if you have any inquiries about the tax-free weekend or sales tax in general, it is a good idea to speak with your neighborhood merchants and tax experts.