Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 3227: An Act relative to bundled cellular telephone transactions

This bill defines tax-exempt allowances for bundled phone transactions. It specifies that the tax-exempt amount equals the difference between the price charged for a phone in a bundle (with service) and what the same phone would cost alone. This directly affects consumers purchasing phone-and-service bundles, dealers selling them, and tax authorities applying the rule. The key provision clarifies that only the phone's price difference - not the entire bundle - is exempt from taxation, streamlining how such allowances are calculated under existing tax law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly addresses taxation of bundled cellular transactions under 'Revenue', directly impacting tax policy and fiscal management.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 2, 2026

S 2038: An Act to increase the commuter tax deduction to reflect rising costs

By Mr. Montigny, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2038) of Mark C. Montigny for legislation to increase the commuter tax deduction to reflect rising costs. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases commuter tax deduction, providing tax relief for workers affected by rising costs, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income earners.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Jul 6, 2026

H 4703: An Act authorizing the town of Truro to impose a 0.5% real estate transfer fee

This bill imposes a 0.5% fee on the purchase price of real estate in Truro, paid by the buyer at the time of sale. The fee funds two town accounts: 50% goes to the Capital Improvement Stabilization Fund and 50% to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. First-time homebuyers (who live in the home for 5+ years), government transfers, family transfers, and certain charitable or low-value transfers are exempt. Buyers must pay the fee in full by closing, with interest accruing on unpaid amounts, and failure to pay creates a personal debt enforceable in court.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes 0.5% real estate transfer fee for local revenue, directly creating a new tax-based funding mechanism for town budgets.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingAuthorizes a real estate transfer fee (0.5%) whose revenue could fund local housing initiatives, aligning with housing funding indicators.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3098: An Act relative to home heating oil deductions

This bill creates a temporary tax deduction for Massachusetts taxpayers who pay for home heating oil, natural gas, or propane during the winter months. It allows a deduction of up to $800 per year for heating costs exceeding $4.00 per gallon, covering purchases between November 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. Taxpayers can apply the full deduction in 2025 or split it between 2025 and 2026 for purchases made in those years. The deduction also includes specific eligibility rules for condo/co-op owners and renters whose heating costs are included in common fees or rent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax deduction for home heating oil, providing direct tax relief to homeowners, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income households.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Dec 15, 2025

S 430: An Act relative to the long-term fiscal health and sustainability of special education in the Commonwealth

By Mr. Oliveira, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 430) of Jacob R. Oliveira, Joanne M. Comerford, Vanna Howard, Michael D. Brady and other members of the General Court for legislation for a special commission to review and valuate the commonwealth’s current special education financing structure. Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes commission to review special education financing structure for fiscal sustainability, supporting proper funding allocation for essential public services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates commission to review special education financing structure for fiscal sustainability, directly addressing funding health and long-term viability per education topic indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education

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signed · Massachusetts · House Apr 29, 2026

H 4225: An Act authorizing the town of Marblehead to establish a means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption

This bill authorizes the town of Marblehead to create a property tax exemption for senior residents who meet specific income and residency requirements. It directly affects seniors aged 65+ (or 60+ with a spouse 65+) who own and live in Marblehead as their primary residence for at least 10 years and have household income below a locally set threshold. The exemption covers the full property tax plus 50% of annual water and sewer costs, minus a portion of the applicant's income, prior-year tax credits, and other relief, but cannot exceed a yearly cap set by the town's select board. Applications must be submitted annually, and the town may deny exemptions for applicants with excessive assets as defined by local regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMeans-tested senior property tax exemption provides tax relief for lower-income seniors, aligning with support indicators for tax relief and fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill authorizes a means-tested senior property tax exemption, reducing housing costs for elderly homeowners and directly supporting affordable housing access for a vulnerable group.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · House Jun 29, 2026

H 3056: An Act enabling a local option for a real estate transfer fee to fund affordable housing

HD 1112 allows Massachusetts cities and towns to implement a real estate transfer fee on property sales to fund affordable housing. The fee, collected by settlement agents during property closings, would be directed to municipal or regional housing trust funds. These funds must be used for acquiring, constructing, rehabilitating, or preserving housing for low- and moderate-income households (as defined by HUD). The bill provides definitions for key terms like "affordable housing purposes" and "settlement agent" to ensure consistent implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new real estate transfer fee (tax) to generate revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing public service investment through fiscal mechanism.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates local real estate transfer fee to generate revenue specifically for affordable housing funding, directly advancing housing support through dedicated financing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 15, 2026

S 1981: An Act relative to graduate student loan deductions

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1981) of Ryan C. Fattman and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation relative to graduate student loan deductions. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deductions for graduate students, reducing taxable income and offering relief, aligning with tax relief for lower/middle income groups.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 5, 2026

H 3177: An Act allowing peer-to-peer cardrooms

HD 3258 allows licensed racetracks and pari-mutuel facilities in Massachusetts to operate cardrooms where patrons play poker and dominoes against each other (not against the house), with facilities charging a fee for providing the space. Operators must obtain a separate cardroom license from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission's Division of Racing and pay an annual fee of $1,000 per table. The bill establishes regulatory requirements for cardroom operations, including licensing, fee collection, and oversight by the Division of Racing, ensuring these activities remain distinct from casino gambling. This creates a new legal framework for peer-to-peer gaming at existing racetrack venues without altering casino regulations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes taxation of cardrooms for revenue generation, directly increasing state tax income through a new tax source.95% confidence

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passed both · Massachusetts · House Jun 18, 2026

H 4755: An Act amending the means tested senior citizen property tax exemption in the town of Sudbury

HD 5165 amends Sudbury's means-tested senior citizen property tax exemption law to require periodic town approval. The bill mandates that Sudbury's town meeting vote every 3 years on whether to extend the exemption, using a specific ballot question. If approved, the exemption continues for another 3 years; if rejected, it pauses until the town votes to restart it. This directly affects Sudbury residents aged 65+ who qualify for the tax exemption under current income limits. The change replaces the previous permanent authorization with a renewal process dependent on annual town meeting decisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill amends senior property tax exemption, providing targeted tax relief for lower-income seniors through means-tested regulation, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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