The Massachusetts tax-free weekend is a two-day event that allows shoppers to buy a wide variety of items without paying sales tax.
That can result in savings of $6.25 on every $100 spent on eligible purchases.
But not all items are tax-exempt during the Massachusetts sales tax holiday.
Massachusetts tax-free weekend
In a world where some sales tax holidays are going away, the Bay State’s tax-free weekend is still in place.
The 2026 sales tax holiday begins on Saturday, August 8, and runs through Sunday, August 9. While Massachusetts exempts more items from sales tax than many other states do during their tax holidays, some exclusions still apply.
For example, items must have been purchased for personal use to qualify.
That means if you wanted to shop for your business, you still have to pay sales tax during the tax-free period.
Additionally, some items are still taxable, even when purchased for personal use.
What qualifies for MA tax-free weekend?
Similar to other back-to-school tax-free weekends across the country, most retail items are tax-exempt.
However, clothing and other qualifying items must cost $2,500 or less to be tax-free.
The tax treatment for items that exceeded these price limitations is different.
- Normally (outside of tax-free weekend), for individual clothing items that exceed $175, only the amount over $175 is taxable. For example: If an item of clothing costs more than $175 (e.g., a $300 jacket), you pay the 6.25% sales tax on the amount minus $175, so $125.
- During the sales tax holiday, for individual clothing items that exceed $2,500, only the first $175 is tax-free. For instance, if a luxury clothing item exceeds the $2,500 sales tax holiday limit (e.g., a $2,550 wedding dress), the item loses the tax holiday's total exemption. But...the state's clothing law still applies — meaning the first $175 is tax-exempt, so tax is owed on the remaining $2,375.
- For individual non-clothing items (for example, computers) that exceed $2,500, the entire amount is taxable.
What items are excluded from the MA tax-free weekend?
Massachusetts’ tax-free weekend includes so many items that it’s easier to have a list of what doesn't qualify for the sales tax holiday than for what does.
Here are items that are still taxable during the tax holiday, regardless of price:
- Meals that are normally taxable (for example, from restaurants)
- Motor vehicles (including cars and motorboats)
- Gas, steam, and electricity
- Tobacco and marijuana products
- Alcoholic beverages
- Layaway sales
Rentals of eligible items are tax-free for up to 30 days if paid for in full between August 8 and August 9.
Massachusetts tax-free weekend for online shopping
Online purchases are included in the Massachusetts tax-free weekend, but there are a few rules you need to follow.
- You must place and pay for your order during the sales tax holiday.
- And items must be ordered during Eastern Daylight Time.
- Items didn't need to be delivered during the tax-free weekend to qualify as tax-free.
Does Amazon participate in Massachusetts’ tax-free weekend?
Amazon participates in sales tax holidays, including Massachusetts’ tax-free weekend.
According to the Amazon sales tax holidays webpage, tax was automatically calculated on taxable items.
So, you should have been able to tell what was taxable and what wasn’t before you placed your order.
For more information about Massachusetts' special tax holiday rules, shoppers can visit the state’s sales tax holiday FAQ webpage.
