Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1944: An Act relative to the exemption of private pension income from taxation

By Mr. Crighton (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1944) of Thomas Egan and Sean Reid for legislation to exempt private pension income from taxation. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts private pension income from taxation, providing tax relief for retirees, aligning with support indicators for middle/lower income tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3150: An Act relative to expanding 529 deductions

This bill amends Massachusetts tax law to expand the types of 529 education savings plans eligible for state tax deductions. It removes the restriction that previously limited deductions to plans "established by the commonwealth or an instrumentality of the commonwealth," instead allowing deductions for any plan authorized under federal U.S.C. § 529. This change directly affects Massachusetts residents who contribute to 529 plans, as it now includes federally authorized plans (not just state-run ones) in the deduction eligibility. The key mechanism is a specific update to Chapter 62, Section 3 of the General Laws, broadening the definition of qualifying plans under state tax code.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax deductions for 529 college savings plans, providing tax relief for families saving for education costs.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3137: An Act relative to Title 5 income tax credit reform

This bill amends Massachusetts' income tax credit rules by increasing specific credit thresholds. It raises the income limit for one credit from $15,000 to $25,000, the maximum credit amount from $1,500 to $4,000, and another credit's cap from $6,000 to $10,000. These changes directly affect taxpayers who qualify for these specific Title 5 income tax credits. The policy adjustment simplifies eligibility and increases potential tax relief for qualifying individuals under the revised thresholds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReforms income tax credits for homeowners, providing tax relief for septic system repairs, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3251: An Act to exclude tipped wages from taxable income

HD 4224, titled "An Act to exclude tipped wages from taxable income," amends Massachusetts tax law to remove tips received by employees from their taxable income. This directly affects tipped workers in Massachusetts, such as restaurant servers and bartenders, who currently have tips included in their taxable earnings. The bill adds a new provision (subsection 21) to the tax code, defining tips as "net amount of Part B adjusted gross income received as tips" under Chapter 149, Section 152A, thereby excluding them from taxable income calculations. This is a specific tax code amendment with no new funding or enforcement mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes tipped wages from taxable income, providing tax relief for lower-income service workers by reducing their tax burden.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 12, 2025

S 17: Amendment S.17

Senate, February 12, 2025 -- Text of the Senate amendment to the House Bill making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects (House, No. 58) (being the text of Senate document numbered 16, printed as amended).

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmendment supplements existing appropriations for FY2025, directly supporting budget allocation and funding mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Feb 6, 2025

H 51: An Act making appropriations for fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

This bill appropriates $425 million from the General Fund to provide supportive services and safe shelter for unhoused families in Massachusetts, directly affecting families experiencing homelessness. Key provisions require these funds to be used for specific housing-related services outlined in prior legislation and allow transfers to state agencies or workforce programs supporting this population. The bill also makes technical changes to eligibility rules for the emergency housing assistance program, specifying that families with children or pregnant women may remain eligible for up to six consecutive months of aid (removing prior restrictions on weekly terminations). These funds are available through June 2026 and must follow existing laws governing public fund disbursement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $425M from General Fund to fund housing services for unhoused families, directly increasing public service funding as a core budget action.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $425M for supportive housing services and safe shelter for unhoused families, directly addressing homelessness through funding and program support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 24, 2025

HD 4578: An Act repealing the sales tax on boats built or rebuilt in the Commonwealth

By Representative Kearney of Scituate, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Patrick Joseph Kearney relative to repealing the sales tax on boats built or rebuilt in the Commonwealth. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals sales tax on boats, providing tax relief and reducing government revenue from this source, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate May 12, 2025

SD 2885: Proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution requiring a supermajority vote for the utilization of rainy day funds

Senate, May 12, 2025 -- (Filed by Mr. Tarr) Order relative to the calling of a proposal for a legislative amendment to the Constitution to require a supermajority vote for the utilization of rainy day funds.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRequires supermajority to access rainy day funds, restricting budget flexibility and limiting fiscal management options for state spending.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House May 2, 2025

H 739: An Act relative to MSBA school funding

HD 64 directs Massachusetts' School Building Advisory Board to study how school facilities are funded, specifically focusing on technical, vocational, and agricultural schools that require more resources than standard schools. The bill mandates the board to examine creating a new funding formula that would provide increased support for these specialized schools. The board must issue a final report with recommendations by January 1, 2027, to the state legislature's education committees. This bill does not change current funding but requires a study to address potential disparities in facility costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state budget resources to MSBA school building projects, directly funding public education infrastructure as a government spending priority.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directly addresses MSBA school funding, providing financial support for school infrastructure and operations, aligning with educational funding initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 12, 2025

H 4151: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects.

This bill allocates supplemental funding for Massachusetts' fiscal year 2025, adding specific sums to existing state budgets for critical programs. It directly affects state agencies and services, including veterans' benefits ($5.8M), child care programs ($95.6M), medical assistance ($134.5M), and senior housing initiatives (e.g., $2M for the Brooke House in Mattapan, which will provide 127 affordable units for seniors). Key mechanisms include funding for the semiquincentennial anniversary ($15M), park improvements ($6M), and transitions to new systems (e.g., $7.5M for electronic benefits cards). The bill supplements existing appropriations without creating new laws, focusing solely on funding allocations for the 2025 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates supplemental funding for veterans' benefits ($5.8M), child care ($95.6M), medical assistance ($134.5M), and senior housing, directly increasing state spending on public services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $134.5M to medical assistance and funds senior housing/child care programs, directly strengthening healthcare services and coverage.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllocates $2M for 127 affordable senior housing units at Brooke House, directly funding affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allocates $5.8M specifically for veterans' benefits in its fiscal year 2025 appropriations.90% confidence

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