BOSTON – Senator Brian A. Joyce voted on Thursday to approve a sales tax holiday weekend for August 13 and 14, making it the sixth year the Commonwealth will provide a sales tax exemption for two days and the seventh year with at least one sales-tax-free day.
 
“I’m pleased that this will offer some relief to small business owners and hard-working families struggling in this economy,” said Senator Joyce.
 
Tax collections for all of Fiscal Year 2011 were $20.5 billion, which is $2 billion more than the Fiscal Year 2010 collections and $723 million above benchmark. Also, revenue for the month of June came in at $2.1 billion – a 5.2 percent increase from June 2010 and $48 million above the monthly benchmark.

The Senate has consistently supported a sales tax holiday since it began seven years ago. As in previous years, the sales tax holiday will apply to purchases under $2,500. Additionally, it excludes vehicles, motorized boats, tobacco, meals and utilities.
 
According to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the sales tax holiday has saved consumers nearly $100 million since 2004. The legislature has passed it every year since then, except in 2009, when the recession was at its worst.