Every year, Massachusetts consumers eagerly await the annual Tax-Free Weekend for enormous savings that they can actually get on many retail items. This year, it will take place on Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11, 2024. In this period, customers can purchase eligible items without paying the 6.25 percent state sales tax. This weekend is indeed the best time for back-to-school shopping or for renovations and improvements around the house.
Scheduled dates of the Tax-Free Weekend
The Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend is going to occur on:
Start date: Saturday, August 10, 2024
End date: Sunday, August 11, 2024
This is a two-day event through which consumers can save much in retail purchases, if they follow the laid down rules by the state.
What products can be purchased?
Exemption Sales tax shall not be imposed during the Tax-Free Weekend on retail sales of items of $2,500 or less. It applies only to purchases made for personal use by a consumer. Thus, this is a very good time for consumers to make purchases of items for personal use. Examples of products that will benefit from this exemption include:
- Clothing: adult and children’s clothing
- Footwear: shoes and boots
- School supplies: backpacks, notebooks, writing utensils
- Home goods: furniture, appliances, home decor
- Electronics: computers and their accessories, tablets, and their accessories
Also, online purchases during the Tax-Free Weekend are exempt provided that the order was placed and payment was made during the Tax-Free Weekend.
What items do not qualify?
While the Tax-Free Weekend amount saved off sales tax is a fantastic opportunity to save, not everything is included in the exemption. A few of the specifically excluded items are as follows:
- Meals: Food and beverages prepared at restaurants or sold pre-packaged for consumption at home
- Motor vehicles: Cars, trucks, motorcycles
- Motorboats: Boats and other watercraft
- Telecommunications services: Telephone and internet services
- Gas and electricity: Utility services
- Tobacco products: Cigarettes and other tobacco products
- Marijuana products: Cannabis and its related products
- Alcoholic beverages: including beers, wine and spirits
- Layaway sales: Purchases made via layaway plans
Any single item priced over $2,500 is also not eligible for the sales tax exemption, so shoppers should plan their purchases accordingly.
How to make the most of the Tax-Free Weekend
To maximize your savings from the Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend, use the following tips:
- Plan ahead: Make a list of the things you need and check the prices in advance for the best offers.
- Shop early: Popular items tend to run out fast, so it will be better to shop at the beginning of the weekend to get the products you want.
- Check online options: Many retailers operate online, and the eligible purchases made from there during the weekend shall also be tax-free.
- Shop local: By shopping locally, the experience will be more rewarding and the cash will help boost the local economy.
The Massachusetts Tax-Free Weekend is an opportunity where people in this state can save money on most retail merchandise. Scheduled to occur on August 10 and 11, 2024, this annual event gives consumers an opportunity to purchase eligible products without having to pay a portion of the state’s sales tax. By knowing the eligible items and planning their shopping accordingly, consumers can make the most of this benevolent weekend.
