Overview

• The two-day event on August 9–10 waives the 6.25% state sales tax on most in-store and online purchases under $2,500 by Massachusetts residents.
• Businesses that mistakenly collect tax on eligible items must refund customers with valid proof of purchase and remit the amounts to the Department of Revenue.
• Leaders of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts estimate weekend sales could be five to six times higher than a typical summer weekend, especially for furniture, electronics and school supplies.
• A Deloitte survey found Boston parents plan to spend an average of $686 per child on back-to-school shopping, outpacing national spending trends.
• The Tax Foundation and other critics maintain the holiday shifts rather than increases spending, renewing debate over its true economic benefit.