Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 325: An Act to prevent property tax bill shocks

By Mr. Brownsberger, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1933) of William N. Brownsberger for legislation to prevent property tax bill shocks. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents sudden property tax increases, providing stability and relief for homeowners, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1090: An Act establishing a tax on local revenues from digital advertising

By Ms. Jehlen, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2017) of Patricia D. Jehlen for legislation to establish a tax on local revenues from digital advertising. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new tax on digital advertising revenues, directly generating state budget funds through taxation.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1410: An Act relative to modernizing the estate tax

This bill establishes a $5 million exemption for Massachusetts estate tax, meaning estates valued at $5 million or less (after standard federal deductions) won't owe tax for decedents dying on or after July 1, 2024. It sets the exemption amount to adjust annually based on Massachusetts wage growth, using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The change directly affects estates of deceased residents with assets below the threshold, primarily reducing tax burden for smaller estates. The exemption applies to the federal taxable estate value (after deductions) and takes effect for deaths occurring on or after July 1, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces estate tax burden for smaller estates under $5M threshold, providing tax relief to middle-income families through expanded exemption.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 1077: An Act establishing a tax credit for families caring for elderly relatives and victims of Alzheimer's and Dementia

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2060) of Patrick M. O'Connor for legislation to establish a tax credit for families caring for elderly relatives and victims of Alzheimer's and Dementia. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes tax credit reducing taxable income for caregivers - direct tax relief aligning with fiscal support indicators for middle-income families.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareTax credit for family caregivers of Alzheimer's/dementia patients reduces financial burden, improving access to care without direct healthcare funding.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 844: An Act relative to taxation of digital advertising services

By Mr. Fernandes, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2004) of Dylan A. Fernandes relative to taxation of digital advertising services. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes new tax on digital advertising services to generate state revenue, directly increasing budget funding through taxation.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 3390: An Act combating offshore tax avoidance

HD 3390 modifies Massachusetts tax law to address income from foreign entities. It specifies that amounts included in federal income under Section 951A of the IRS Code (related to global intangible low-taxed income) will no longer be treated as dividends for state tax purposes, and taxpayers can only deduct 50% of this income instead of the full amount. This primarily affects businesses and individuals with foreign income subject to Section 951A provisions. The changes apply to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax loophole for foreign income by limiting deductions, preventing offshore tax avoidance and aligning state tax with federal anti-avoidance measures.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 27, 2025

HD 3877: An Act to address the financial sustainability of the Health Safety Net

By Representative Cahill of Lynn, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 1354) of Daniel Cahill relative to financing the Health Safety Net Trust Fund. Health Care Financing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly funds the Health Safety Net Trust Fund for healthcare financing, advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2025

H 35: Legislative recommendations of the Office of the State Treasurer

H 35 is not a single bill but a letter from Massachusetts Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg presenting 15 legislative recommendations to the General Court. The recommendations cover diverse policy areas including modernizing alcohol laws, expanding retirement savings access (e.g., 401(k) CORE Plan, Baby Bonds program), updating pension systems (State Employees, Turnpike Authority), requiring financial education in schools, and advocating for public pension fund divestment from firearms. These proposals aim to modernize state financial operations, enhance economic security for residents, and improve retirement and capital access policies. The document serves as a formal request for the Legislature to consider these specific legislative actions, not as a bill itself.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRecommendations include pension system updates and public fund divestment, promoting fiscal responsibility in state financial management and retirement programs.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly recommends requiring financial education in schools, directly enhancing curriculum standards for K-12 students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 7, 2025

H 55: An Act making appropriations for the fiscal year 2025 to provide for supplementing certain existing appropriations and for certain other activities and projects

H 55 is a funding bill that allocates supplemental appropriations for Massachusetts' fiscal year 2025. It provides specific amounts to support transportation and education programs, including $67 million for MBTA low-income fare relief, $400 million for MBTA workforce/safety, and $32.5 million for high school career pathway initiatives. The bill also funds $75 million for career technical education facility upgrades, $100 million for early education workforce improvements, and $50 million to expand preschool access in high-need districts. All funds are supplemental to existing budgets and must be used for designated purposes with reporting requirements for oversight.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $67M+ for MBTA fare relief, education, and workforce programs, explicitly increasing state spending on public services and fiscal management for FY2025.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $32.5M for high school career pathways, $75M for career technical education facilities, and $100M for early education workforce improvements, directly funding education programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllocates $400M for MBTA workforce/safety and $100M for early education workforce improvements, directly funding labor-related programs.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $400M for MBTA workforce/safety and $67M for low-income fare relief, directly funding public transit operations and accessibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Career & Technical Education Early Childhood

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 7, 2025

HD 4538: An Act relative to increasing the local option tax in the city of Salem on the sale of marijuana and marijuana products

By Representative Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4008) of Manny Cruz (with the approval of the mayor and city council) that the city of Salem be authorized to increase the local option tax on the sale of marijuana and marijuana products in said city. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases local tax on marijuana sales to generate city revenue, directly advancing fiscal management through tax policy.95% confidence

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