When Is the Next Massachusetts Tax Free Weekend?

More than a dozen states have annual tax free weekends — also known as sales tax holidays. They give you the chance to buy essentials sans sales tax for back to school, disaster prep, and other occasions.

Massachusetts seems to take a free-for-all approach to its tax holiday, exempting most items from sales or use taxes. Read on to learn about this Bay State savings opportunity.

When Is the Next Massachusetts Tax Free Weekend?

Dates for the 2019 Massachusetts sales tax holiday haven't been announced yet, but the state legislature must choose a weekend in August by June 15. Some online sources suggest the weekend will be August 10-11.

What Items Qualify for Massachusetts Tax Free Shopping?

During the August sales tax holiday, consumers won't pay sales tax on what Massachusetts calls "tangible personal property." Unlike most states, which have a back-to-school or disaster prep focus, Massachusetts exempts nearly everything, with a single-item maximum of $2,500.

What Items Aren't Eligible for Massachusetts Tax Free Status?

Only a few things didn't qualify for a sales tax exemption in 2018, and they were the following:

• Motor vehicles, including ATVs and snowmobiles


• Motorboats


• Restaurant meals, whether for takeout or dining in


• Telecommunications services, including prepaid phone cards


• Natural gas, steam, and electricity


• Tobacco products, both smoking and smokeless


• Marijuana or marijuana products


• Any single item with a price higher than $2,500

SEE ALSO: When Is Your State's Tax Free Weekend in 2019?

While motorboats weren't eligible, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats without motors still qualified. Cell phones were exempt, too, despite the exclusion of telecom services.

More Massachusetts Tax Holiday Tips

Internet sales qualify for the exemption, as long as the item is bought and paid for during the tax holiday. Actual delivery or shipping times don't affect the exemptions. Additionally, all purchases you make must be for nonbusiness reasons. Anyone using a business credit card or checkbook will be charged sales tax.

For complete details on the Massachusetts sales tax holiday, see the regulation page on it from last year.