Kate Schubel
Updated: The 2024 sales tax holiday in Massachusetts has ended.
The Massachusetts tax-free weekend was a two-day event that allowed shoppers to buy a wide variety of items without paying sales tax. That could have resulted in savings of $6.25 on every $100 spent on eligible purchases. But not all items were tax-exempt during the Massachusetts sales tax holiday.
Massachusetts tax-free weekend
In a world where some sales tax holidays are going away, the Bay State’s tax-free weekend still ran strong. The 2024 sales tax holiday began on Saturday, August 10, and ran through Sunday, August 11. While Massachusetts exempted more items from sales tax than many other states did during their tax holidays, exclusions still applied.
For example, items must have been purchased for personal use to qualify. That means if you wanted to shop for your business, you still had to pay sales tax during the tax-free period. Additionally, some purchases were still taxable, even when purchased for personal use.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
What qualified for MA tax-free weekend?
Similar to other back-to-school tax-free weekends across the country, most retail items were tax-exempt. However, clothing items must have cost $175 or less to qualify, and other qualifying items must have cost $2,500 or less to be tax-free. The tax treatment for items that exceeded these price limitations was different.
- For individual clothing items that exceeded $175, only the amount over $175 was taxable
- For individual clothing items that exceeded $2,500, only the first $175 was tax-free
- For individual non-clothing items (for example, computers) that exceeded $2,500, the entire amount was taxable
What items were excluded from the MA tax-free weekend?
Massachusetts’ tax-free weekend included so many items that it’s easier to have a list of what didn't qualify for the sales tax holiday than for what did. Here are the items that were still taxable during the tax holiday, regardless of price:
- Meals that are normally taxable (for example, from restaurants)
- Motor vehicles (including cars and motorboats)
- Gas, steam, and electricity
- Tobacco and marijuana products
- Alcoholic beverages
- Layaway sales
Rentals of eligible items were tax-free for up to 30 days if paid for in full between August 10 and August 11.
Massachusetts tax-free weekend for online shopping
Online purchases were included in the 2024 Massachusetts tax-free weekend, but there were a few rules you needed to follow. You must have placed and paid for your order during the sales tax holiday. And items must have been ordered during Eastern Daylight Time. Items didn't need to be delivered during the tax-free weekend to qualify as tax-free.
Did Amazon participate in Massachusetts’ tax-free weekend?
Amazon participates in sales tax holidays, including Massachusetts’ tax-free weekend. According to the Amazon sales tax holidays webpage, tax was automatically calculated on taxable items. So, you should have been able to tell what was taxable and what wasn’t before you placed your order.
For more information about Massachusetts' special tax holiday rules, shoppers can visit the state’s sales tax holiday FAQ webpage.
Related Content
-
Which Stores Are Closing (and Which Aren’t) for Easter 2025?Dozens of major retailers are planning to close their doors on April 20. Find out which of your go-to stores are on the list.
-
What 401(k) Savers Near Retirement Can Do Amid Market VolatilityWhether retirement is years away, a year or two out, or in the rearview mirror, here's how to handle uncertainty in your 401(k).
-
Free IRS Tax Filing for 30 Million People: Will It Continue Under Trump?Tax Filing Direct File was piloted last year in 12 states and has since expanded to 25. But some wonder whether the program will last under the Trump administration.
-
How Caregivers for Adults Can Save on Taxes in 2025Tax Breaks Caring for your parent or spouse can be stressful, but the IRS offers tax breaks for qualifying taxpayers. Here they are.
-
U.S. Treasury to Eliminate Paper Checks: What It Means for Tax Refunds, Social SecurityTreasury President Trump signed an executive order forcing the federal government to phase out paper check disbursements by the fall.
-
IRS Layoffs Spark Delays, Doubt This Tax Season
Tax Season Tax experts say Trump’s downsizing of the IRS is already causing problems.
-
States with the Highest Income Tax Rates for RetireesState Tax You may reconsider living and retiring in one of these states due to high taxes.
-
AI Tax Scams Target Middle and Older Adults: What to KnowScams Whether you’re a retiree or Gen Z, scammers can gouge big financial losses with the help of artificial intelligence.
-
Tax-Deductible Home Improvements for Retirement in 2025Retirement Taxes Your aging-in-place plan could benefit from the medical expense tax deduction. But watch out for capital gains and property taxes.
-
Don’t Make These Five Mistakes on Your Tax ReturnTax Filing The IRS warns taxpayers to watch out for these common errors as they prepare to file.
