Massachusetts.- Massachusetts shoppers will see a statewide tax-free shopping weekend on August 8 and 9, 2026, when the state temporarily suspends its 6.25 percent sales tax on most retail items priced under $2,500.
The dates were approved June 11, 2026, through concurrent resolutions in both chambers of the Massachusetts Legislature under legislation H.5495/S.3119. Under state law, the sales tax holiday is permanent, but lawmakers are required to set the specific dates each year.
During the two-day period, most eligible retail goods under the price threshold will be exempt from the sales tax. Exclusions include motor vehicles, meals, utilities, tobacco products, and other regulated categories.
Online purchases are eligible for the exemption if the sale is completed within the tax-free weekend window. For most retailers, eligibility is determined by the transaction date and time when payment is accepted. Items ordered online and processed during the holiday period are generally treated the same as in-store purchases, regardless of delivery date, as long as they meet state eligibility rules.
The exemption applies across both physical and digital retail transactions, provided the purchase occurs during the designated dates.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the 2025 sales tax holiday generated approximately $3.65 million in indirect tax revenue through increased consumer activity during the exemption period.
The August timing aligns with the back-to-school shopping season, when retail spending typically increases across the state.
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