Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3170: An Act relative to lowering the sales tax to 5%

This bill (HD 264) lowers Massachusetts' state sales tax rate from 6.25% to 5% for both general sales and specific retail transactions covered under Chapters 64H and 64I of the General Laws. It directly affects all consumers purchasing taxable goods or services and businesses collecting sales tax in Massachusetts. The key mechanism is amending two existing tax statutes to reduce the rate, with no additional provisions or exemptions specified. The change would reduce the tax burden on everyday purchases like clothing, electronics, and groceries for residents and businesses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly lowers sales tax rate (5%), providing tax relief aligning with fiscal responsibility and tax relief indicators for Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3123: An Act relative to the repeal of the sales tax exemption for aircraft

This bill repeals a sales tax exemption for aircraft purchases in Massachusetts. It removes a provision that previously allowed aircraft to be exempt from sales tax, meaning buyers will now pay standard sales tax on aircraft. The change directly affects individuals and businesses purchasing aircraft within the state. The bill modifies existing tax code language (Section 6 of Chapter 64H) by striking outdated subsections.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepealing sales tax exemption for aircraft directly increases state revenue by closing a tax loophole, aligning with fiscal responsibility and revenue generation indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3281: 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 & TaxesBill directly addresses tax policy for manufacturing inventory, advancing taxation framework under Budget & Taxes topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3199: An Act to establish a sales tax exemption for earth day

This bill (HD 3894) creates a sales tax exemption for specific eco-friendly products purchased on Earth Day. It directly affects consumers buying Energy Star-rated products or hybrid/electric vehicles during Earth Day sales. The key provision adds a new exemption to the tax code, removing sales tax from these items on that single day each year. The bill does not change general sales tax rates or apply to other products outside this specific day and category.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates sales tax exemption, reducing state revenue, aligning with tax break indicator for oppose.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill creates tax exemption for Energy Star products and hybrid vehicles, directly incentivizing energy-efficient purchases and aligning with energy efficiency promotion.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill incentivizes purchasing Energy Star products and hybrid vehicles via sales tax exemption, directly promoting energy efficiency and reduced emissions per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3082: An Act establishing an excise tax on guns and ammunition

HD 3985 imposes a 4.75% excise tax on the wholesale value of firearms sold by licensed sellers and 4.75% per round on ammunition sold by licensed sellers. All tax revenue must be deposited into the Public Health and Safety Fund, which is dedicated to community-based gun violence prevention programs, research, and services for survivors and victims' families. The bill requires licensees to file monthly sales reports with the commissioner of revenue, with a $1,000 penalty for failure to comply. The fund's money cannot be diverted to other state uses and carries over annually. This directly affects licensed gun and ammunition sellers through the tax obligation and reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes new excise tax on guns/ammo to generate state revenue, directly increasing tax income for budget purposes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 2078: An Act relative to exempting certain medical supplies from the state sales tax

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2078) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to exempt certain medical supplies from the state sales tax. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts medical supplies from sales tax, providing tax relief for essential healthcare costs, aligning with support indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts medical supplies from sales tax, reducing costs for patients and providers, directly improving healthcare affordability and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 2020: An Act protecting youth from nicotine addiction by increasing the tax on cigarettes

By Mr. Keenan, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2020) of John F. Keenan, Patricia D. Jehlen and Jason M. Lewis for legislation to protect youth from nicotine addiction by increasing the tax on cigarettes. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases cigarette tax (taxation policy) to generate revenue for youth nicotine addiction prevention, directly advancing tax policy for public health funding.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 3145: An Act relative to the gradual elimination of the inventory tax

This bill gradually eliminates the inventory tax on business property in Massachusetts. It reduces the tax rate from $2.60 per $100 of inventory value to $0.50 over multiple steps, with final implementation by 2030. The key mechanism shifts the tax from a flat rate to a declining percentage of net income (starting at 9.5% for 2020-2021 and decreasing to 8.0% for 2022+). These changes directly affect businesses that pay the inventory tax, primarily commercial entities holding physical inventory. The phased approach spans from 2026 through 2030, with specific effective dates for each rate reduction step.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill eliminates inventory tax, providing tax relief for businesses, directly advancing tax policy reform under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 22, 2025

S 337: An Act relative to school district funding

By Mr. Cyr (by request), a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 337) of John Lamb, for legislation relative to school district funding is allocated evenly, relative to the number of attending students, among the towns in such a district.. Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates even school district funding allocation based on student count, directly supporting public education funding through state budget management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates equitable school funding allocation based on student enrollment, directly advancing educational resource distribution.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Sep 22, 2025

S 440: An Act relative to Chapter 70 inflation relief

By Mr. Payano, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 440) of Pavel M. Payano for legislation to adjust the state funding allocated to public schools in Massachusetts (through the "Chapter 70" program) to account for rising inflation costs. Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts Chapter 70 school funding to offset inflation, increasing state budget allocation for public education95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill adjusts Chapter 70 school funding for inflation, directly increasing state support for public school budgets to maintain educational resources amid rising costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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