Budget & Taxes

in committee · Massachusetts · House Sep 8, 2025

HD 4845: An Act reforming charter school funding in Massachusetts

This bill sets a 9% cap on the total amount a Massachusetts public school district can pay in charter school tuition relative to its net school spending. It allows districts exceeding this cap to maintain current funding for existing students but prohibits new charter seats until compliance is achieved. The bill also adds transparency requirements, mandating public notice and comment periods for charter school renewals and expansions, along with criteria for evaluating financial and enrollment impacts. These changes apply directly to school districts sending students to charter schools and the charter schools themselves, revising the state’s funding formula and oversight processes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill imposes 9% cap on charter school tuition spending, restricting district expenditures and limiting government spending on charter schools.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts new charter school seats to limit district funding outflow, opposing expansion of charter access within education funding framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 2091: An Act allowing for the deduction of business interest

By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2091) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to allow for the deduction of business interest. Revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill allows business interest deduction, reducing state tax revenue and weakening budget stability.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3171: An Act to exempt municipalities from the gas tax

By Representative Lombardo of Billerica, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3171) of Marc T. Lombardo for legislation to exempt municipalities from the gas tax. Revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts municipalities from gas tax, reducing state revenue. Directly impacts tax collection and budget stability.95% confidence

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 857: An Act regarding a sales tax exemption

This bill amends tax law to exempt certain retail sales from taxation. Specifically, it creates a new exemption for retail sales made within 10 miles of the New Hampshire border. This directly affects retailers operating in border communities, removing their obligation to collect sales tax on qualifying transactions within that zone. The change modifies the existing tax code without altering other tax rates or requirements.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates sales tax exemption for border retailers, reducing state revenue and weakening fiscal management by limiting tax collection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 4379: An Act updating the tax treatment of recreational lands in the town of Swampscott

This bill exempts the town of Swampscott from specific tax rules governing recreational land under Massachusetts law. It prevents Swampscott from applying or allowing applications for recreational land tax rates under certain sections of Chapter 61B. However, existing recreational land assessments and all other tax rules (including changes in use and roll-back taxes) for land already classified as recreational in Swampscott remain fully in effect. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage and directly affects Swampscott landowners who previously used or might seek recreational land tax classifications.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill prevents Swampscott from applying for lower recreational land tax rates, restricting tax relief and maintaining higher tax burden on affected land.85% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SD 991: An Act repealing advance sales tax payments

SD 991 repeals Section 16B of Chapter 62C of the General Laws, which required businesses to pay sales tax in advance. This change would eliminate the advance payment requirement for businesses that previously had to remit sales tax before the end of the tax period. The bill directly affects businesses subject to this specific tax payment rule under current law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRepealing advance sales tax payments delays government revenue collection, weakening fiscal management by reducing timely tax inflows.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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passed · Massachusetts · House Apr 21, 2026

H 3019: An Act exempting certain fraternal organizations from the tax of sales of alcoholic beverages

By Representative Ayers of Quincy, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3019) of Bruce J. Ayers that certain fraternal organizations be exempt from the tax on the sale of alcoholic beverages. Revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill exempts fraternal orgs from alcohol sales tax, reducing state revenue and weakening tax base, directly opposing fiscal management goals.90% confidence

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passed · Massachusetts · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 1976: An Act abolishing the death tax

By Mr. Fattman, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 1976) of Ryan C. Fattman, Joseph D. McKenna and Bruce E. Tarr for legislation to abolish the death tax. Revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesAbolishing the death tax directly reduces state revenue, opposing tax collection under Budget & Taxes. Explicitly targets taxation policy.95% confidence

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in committee · Massachusetts · House Jul 17, 2025

HD 4893: An Act exempting precious metal purchases from state sales tax

By Representative Marsi of Dudley, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of John J. Marsi relative to exempting precious metal purchases from the sales tax. Revenue.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts precious metal purchases from sales tax, creating a tax break primarily for wealthy investors, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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introduced · Massachusetts · House

HD 393: An Act relative to tax exemptions for contributions to a 401(k) through a sole proprietorship

This bill (HD 393) amends Massachusetts tax law to remove a specific tax exemption for sole proprietors who contribute to 401(k) retirement plans through their business. It directly affects self-employed individuals operating as sole proprietors in Massachusetts. The change eliminates the existing tax exemption (previously provided under subparagraph D of section 2 of chapter 62) for these contributions, meaning such contributions would no longer qualify for the same tax benefit. The bill modifies the state's tax code to adjust this provision for sole proprietorship 401(k) contributions.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRemoves tax exemption for sole proprietors' 401(k) contributions, increasing taxable income for self-employed individuals. Direct tax policy change reducing tax benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives

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