NORTHAMPTON — Shoppers seem a little hesitant this year to take early advantage of the state’s annual sales tax-free weekend.
“I’m seeing a little bit of holding back,” said Mark Wineburg, president of Yes Computers, an authorized Apple retailer in Northampton.
Customers often visit retailers the week or so before the holiday and select merchandise, setting it aside and doing preliminary paperwork. Then, they come in over tax-free weekend to finish the purchase on the allotted two-day holiday.
This year, tax-free weekend falls on Aug. 9 and 10, Saturday and Sunday.
The sales tax is normally 6.25%.
The sales tax holiday exemption is limited to eligible sales of items costing $2,500 or less.
Connecticut’s tax-free week begins Aug. 17, runs through Aug. 23 and applies to clothing or footwear costing less than $100 per item
In Massachusetts, clothing is generally exempt from the sales tax all year long unless it costs more than $175. There are other exceptions and caveats explained by the state Department of Revenue on the state’s website.
Taxpayers saved more than $37.8 million during tax-free weekend 2024, also according to the state Department of Revenue.
The Department of Revenue estimates that the sales tax holiday reduced the amounts deposited into the General Fund by $24.9 million, the MBTA State and Local Contribution Fund by $6.8 million, the School Modernization and Reconstruction Trust Fund by $6 million, and the Convention Center Fund by $71.9 million.
But, the report said — with less certainty — that increased economic activity on the sales tax weekend its generated additional indirect tax revenues from wages and profits, etc.
Consumer caution is understandable, Wineburg said. Grocery prices are up, and there is a lot of uncertainty in the economy.
Tariff-driven price increases have likewise been slow to arrive, which is good news.
Manufacturers of computer accessories and computer bags recently raised prices by about 10%. “I think it’s slowly creeping in,” he said.
Apple, meanwhile, has kept prices steady.
“Which is really, really good for everyone,” Wineburg said. “Of course, you can’t predict the future about that.”
Tom Perron, an owner of Boyden & Perron outdoor equipment in Amherst ,said manufacturers are jumping the gun on pricing before the tariff system is worked out.
“I think they are bracing,” he said, “reacting too soon.”
Lawn-and-garden equipment buyers seem eager to pe-select, he said. The store has been busy.
The rainy summer means folks have been mowing a lot, and adding wear and tear. Also, they ‘ve put off brush clearing or hedge trimming jobs to keep up with the grass. Now that equipment is selling.
“We’ve got a lot of snowblowers in,” he said.
Critics of sales tax holidays say it doesn’t stimulate commerce, only concentrates purchases that would have taken place over a longer time period.
Wineburg said tax-free weekend is his busiest time of the year, busier than the holidays. By design, the tax-free weekend coincides with back-to-school shopping season.
And the newest earbuds sell for $249, well under the tax-free limit.
An entry-level MacBook Air suitable for a college freshman is just less than $1,000.
“People are happy to save their $62.50,” Wineburg said.
©2025 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit Link News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
