Budget & Taxes

passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 16, 2026

H 4008: An Act relative to increasing the local option tax in the city of Salem on the sale of marijuana and marijuana products

By Representative Cruz of Salem, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 4008) of Manny Cruz (with the approval of the mayor and city council) that the city of Salem be authorized to increase the local option tax on the sale of marijuana and marijuana products in said city. Revenue. [Local Approval Received.]

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes a tax increase on marijuana sales to generate local revenue, directly impacting taxation and fiscal management within the Budget & Taxes topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Oct 27, 2025

S 1423: An Act to generate revenue to expand transit options

By Mr. Barrett, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1423) of Michael J. Barrett for legislation to generate revenue to expand transit options. Municipalities and Regional Government.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly generates revenue to fund transit expansion, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly generates revenue to expand transit options, directly funding and advancing public transportation infrastructure per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Transit Transportation Funding

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 3158: An Act to allow cities and towns to increase the local tax rate on meals with local approval

This bill amends Massachusetts tax law to allow cities and towns to increase their local meal tax rate by up to 1.25% after obtaining voter approval. It directly affects local governments and residents who pay meal taxes, as it creates a new option for municipalities to raise revenue through this specific tax. The key mechanism is adding "1.25 per cent" to the existing tax rate structure in Chapter 64L, enabling future local ballot measures on meal tax increases. This is a procedural change enabling future local decisions, not an immediate tax hike.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local tax increase on meals for revenue generation, directly advancing fiscal management through tax policy under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 12, 2026

H 3141: An Act relative to the small commercial tax exemption

This bill modifies tax exemption rules for small commercial properties in Massachusetts cities and towns. It allows local governments to grant tax exemptions to commercial parcels where at least 50% of occupants are "eligible businesses," or for mixed residential/commercial properties where 50% of the commercial portion meets this threshold. The change directly affects small businesses seeking tax relief and local officials administering property tax exemptions. It does not define "eligible businesses" but sets a clear 50% occupancy requirement for exemption eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemption for small commercial entities, reducing their tax burden, aligning with tax relief support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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passed · Massachusetts · House Feb 9, 2026

H 4094: An Act relative to the establishment of a Milton means-tested property tax exemption

HD 4594 creates a property tax exemption for seniors in Milton who own and live in their homes as their primary residence. To qualify, applicants must be 65+ (or jointly with a 65+ spouse) and have owned their Milton home for 10+ consecutive years, meet income limits tied to the circuit breaker income tax credit, and pass asset tests. The exemption covers 50-100% of the applicant’s prior year’s circuit breaker credit amount, but cannot reduce taxes by more than 50%. Applicants must reapply yearly with income and asset documentation, and the town sets the exact exemption amount annually within budget limits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMeans-tested senior property tax exemption provides direct tax relief for lower-income residents, aligning with support indicators for tax relief and fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMeans-tested property tax exemption for seniors reduces housing costs, advancing affordable housing access for low-income seniors in Milton.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 2098: An Act to incentivize public service

By Mr. Velis, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2098) of John C. Velis for legislation to incentivize public service by offering a tax credit. Revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax credit for public service, directly offering tax relief as a fiscal incentive under Budget & Taxes topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 2, 2026

H 3087: An Act repealing chapter 62F

This bill (HD 3889) repeals Chapter 62F of the General Laws. It is a procedural change that removes an existing legal chapter from the statutes, with no further details provided about the chapter's content or affected parties in the bill text. The summary is limited to the stated action of repeal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill repeals law limiting state revenue growth, enabling increased funding capacity for public services and fiscal management.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Mar 18, 2026

H 3210: An Act making the fair share tax more equitable

This bill amends the tax code to exempt income from selling a primary residence from a 4% surtax, unless the profit equals or exceeds $2.5 million. It directly affects homeowners who sell their main home and realize gains below that threshold, allowing them to avoid the surtax on those sales. The exemption applies only if the home was occupied as a principal residence for at least 9 months prior to sale. This change adds to existing tax exemptions but does not alter the surtax for sales with gains of $2.5 million or more. The provision is limited to the surtax under Article 44 of the Constitution.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill aims to make 'fair share tax more equitable,' indicating tax system adjustments for fairness, likely closing loopholes or adjusting rates toward progressive taxation.95% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3135: An Act relative to the tax exemption status of municipal employee pensions

This bill allows Massachusetts residents who are retired municipal employees of Rhode Island to exclude the first $10,000 of their Rhode Island municipal pension income from Massachusetts income tax. It specifically applies to pensions from Rhode Island municipalities (not state pensions) and covers up to $50,000 in total annual pension income. The exemption directly affects Rhode Island municipal retirees living in Massachusetts who receive pension payments from Rhode Island. The policy change takes effect immediately upon the bill's passage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMaintains tax exemption for municipal pensions, providing tax relief to employees, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Tax Incentives

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3203: An Act relative to gun safe deductions

This bill adds a tax deduction for purchasing a gun safe, allowing eligible taxpayers to reduce their taxable income by the cost of the safe, up to a $2,000 limit. It directly affects individual taxpayers, heads of household, and married couples filing jointly who buy gun safes, but does not apply to married individuals filing separately. The deduction is capped at $2,000 per tax return, regardless of how many safes are purchased. This amendment modifies the state tax code to include gun safe costs as an eligible deduction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates income tax deduction for gun safe purchases, providing tax relief per Budget & Taxes topic indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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