Supporters of the tax holiday, including the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, say it boosts sales to local businesses and helps the state's economy.
Shoppers make their way through a department store. Consumers spent more on cars and in big chain stores in June but falling gas prices held back retail sales.BOSTON — Shoppers in Massachusetts could soon be loading their carts with must-have items while leaving the sales tax at the door--at least for one weekend.
Lawmakers heard testimony Monday on hosting another sales tax holiday in the state. The bill would waive the state's 6.25 percent sales tax on most items sold during the weekend of Aug. 13-14.
Supporters of the tax holiday, including the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, say it boosts sales to local businesses and helps the state's economy.
Critics of the holiday say its economic benefits are overstated and estimate the state would lose nearly $20 million in tax revenue during the weekend.
The House and Senate still need to vote on the tax holiday.
The tax reprieve would not apply to single items priced above $2,500.