Budget & Taxes

introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1948: An Act providing for settlements of tax liability

This bill establishes a new process for taxpayers to settle past state tax debts through binding agreements with the tax commissioner. It allows settlements when there's doubt about the tax amount owed, doubt about the taxpayer's ability to pay, or for fair tax administration reasons - provided the taxpayer is current on all tax filings. Taxpayers must pay 10% upfront for lump-sum offers (paid in 5 or fewer installments) or the first installment for periodic payment plans, and must maintain 3 years of future compliance. Large settlements over $50,000 require Attorney General review, and rejected offers trigger independent administrative review before notification to the taxpayer.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes structured tax settlement process to improve revenue collection and fiscal management, promoting tax compliance without reducing revenue.90% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4099: An Act granting an income tax exemption for new manufacturing corporations

This bill would exempt new Massachusetts manufacturing corporations from state income tax for their first five years of operation. To qualify, at least 50% of the corporation's revenue must come from selling consumer goods (defined as tangible products for personal use by individuals). The exemption applies only to income generated from manufacturing operations within the state during this initial five-year period. It directly affects new manufacturing businesses incorporating in Massachusetts that meet the consumer goods sales requirement.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill exempts new manufacturing corporations from state income tax for 5 years, reducing immediate tax revenue and weakening the state's tax base.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3512: An Act relative to the taxation of inventory in manufacturing

HD 3512 modifies Massachusetts property tax rules for manufacturing corporations. It phases out the tax on manufacturing corporations' tangible property (like raw materials) over time, reducing the rate from $2.00 per $1,000 in 2026 to $0.00 by 2030. Non-manufacturing corporations remain subject to a flat $2.60 per $1,000 rate. The bill directly affects manufacturing businesses operating in Massachusetts, altering how they calculate state property tax liability. The change applies to property held as raw materials for manufacturing within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPhases out property tax for manufacturers, reducing tax burden from $2.00 to $0.00 per $1,000 over time, directly modifying taxation policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3385: An Act requiring public disclosures by publicly-traded corporate taxpayers

This bill (HD 3385) requires publicly-traded corporations that pay taxes in the state to submit annual reports detailing their tax payments. The state secretary must create a searchable online database making all submitted reports publicly accessible, including a list of corporations that failed to file. Reports for any tax year become publicly available only after the first day of the third calendar year following that tax year. The law removes previous requirements to hide taxpayer names and addresses from these reports and allows the state to charge for copies of the database or individual reports. It directly affects all publicly-traded corporations subject to state corporate taxation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires corporate tax disclosure to enhance transparency and fiscal accountability, closing potential tax avoidance loopholes through public reporting of tax payments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3727: An Act relative to payments in lieu of taxation by organizations exempt from the property tax

This bill requires certain large tax-exempt organizations in Massachusetts to pay 25% of the property tax they would owe if their property were taxable. It applies to organizations owning property valued at $15 million or more in cities or towns that adopt the provision. Key exceptions include "High Public Payment Hospitals" defined under state law, which remain fully exempt. The bill establishes a clear payment mechanism but does not change existing tax exemptions for qualifying nonprofits. Municipalities must first approve the provision through local vote to implement it.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax loophole for large exempt orgs by requiring 25% property tax payment, generating revenue without altering core exemptions, aligning with fiscal responsibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 1743: An Act expanding residential and senior tax exemptions

This bill (HD 1743) increases tax exemptions for senior homeowners and primary residence owners in Massachusetts. It raises the qualifying age for senior exemptions from 35 to 50 years old, doubles the income threshold for primary residence exemptions from $4,000 to $8,000 annually, and increases the property tax exemption amount from $500 to $1,000. The bill also significantly expands income limits for married couples (from $7,000 to $90,000 combined) and raises tax rate exemptions from 5% to 10% and 20% to 40%. These changes directly affect Massachusetts homeowners aged 50+ or those meeting the new income thresholds, providing greater tax relief by expanding eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax exemptions for seniors and primary residence owners, raising income thresholds and exemption amounts to provide relief for middle-income households.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 807: An Act relative to the assessment of local property taxes in the city of Springfield

This bill allows the city of Springfield to use funds from its existing Aid to the Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund for property tax relief. It directly affects Springfield residents aged 65+ or disabled individuals who qualify for this tax relief program. The key provision removes a restriction that previously prevented the city from appropriating these specific funds. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage, enabling Springfield to better administer its current property tax relief program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables property tax relief for elderly/disabled residents using existing funds, directly providing tax relief under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables property tax relief for seniors/disabled via existing funds, directly increasing housing affordability for vulnerable residents without restricting housing access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Taxes

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2533: An Act relative to the bundled cell phone taxation

This bill changes how sales tax applies to phone deals where you buy a device with a service plan. Instead of taxing only the service, vendors must now apply sales tax to the phone's price when sold together. It directly affects phone retailers selling bundled device-and-service packages. The change updates the tax code to clarify that the device price is subject to tax in these cases.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands taxable base for bundled phone deals, increasing state revenue by taxing device prices previously excluded from sales tax.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 2153: An Act providing for a donation check-off box on state tax returns for the Massachusetts Youth & Government program

This bill creates a dedicated fund called the "YMCA’s Youth & Government Fund" to support the YMCA's Youth & Government program in Massachusetts. It allows taxpayers to voluntarily contribute to this fund by checking a box on their state income tax return, either as part of a refund or by adding to the amount they owe. The state treasurer will manage the fund, investing contributions to earn interest while keeping funds accessible for immediate use, with unspent money carrying over to future years instead of returning to the general state budget. The program directly benefits youth participants in the YMCA's civic education initiative through this new funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates voluntary tax check-off for YMCA Youth & Government program funding, advancing fiscal support for a state initiative through taxpayer donations on tax returns.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates dedicated fund for YMCA Youth & Government program, an educational initiative enhancing student civic engagement and leadership opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax State Budget

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 200: An Act relative to the state tax return filings for annuities

HD 200 amends Massachusetts tax law to require specific fiduciaries to file annual tax returns for income from annuities exceeding $200. It directly affects executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, conservators, and other fiduciaries managing estates or trusts that receive such annuity income. The key provision mandates these filers to report all annuity income received during a year before making final distributions, with new deadlines for appointments made after January 1st (due by the 15th day of the fourth month following appointment). This change clarifies and updates the filing obligations for fiduciaries handling annuity income under Chapter 62 of Massachusetts tax law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates fiduciaries to report annuity income, closing a tax reporting loophole to ensure collection of owed taxes under state fiscal management.90% confidence

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