BOSTON (AP) – Consumers would get another chance to take part in a tax-free shopping spree next month under a bill approved Wednesday by lawmakers.
The bill would suspend the state’s 5 percent sales tax on purchases of $2,500 or less for the weekend of Aug. 12-13. The goal is to help give the state’s economy a boost during one of the slowest months of the year. House lawmakers approved the legislation 145-7. The Senate followed with a vote of 34-2. The bill now heads to Gov. Mitt Romney, who supports the holiday.
The first tax-free day in August 2004 generated $400 million in sales while costing the state about $10 million in lost tax revenues.
Lawmakers expanded the tax-free shopping day last year into an entire weekend so observant Jews who can’t shop on Saturdays could also take advantage of the holiday.
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