THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MASSACHUSETTS SENATE

STATE HOUSE BOSTON, MA 02133

SENATOR MICHAEL R. KNAPIK

SECOND HAMPDEN & HAMPSHIRE STATE HOUSE, ROOM 419 TEL. (617) 722-1415 FAX. (617) 722-1506 DISTRICT OFFICE: (413) 562-6454 E-MAIL: MICHAEL.KNAPIK@MASENATE.GOV

* * * KNAPIK PRESS RELEASE * * *

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 30, 2013 Contact: Jerome Parker-OGrady (617) 722-1415

SENATE PASSES SALES TAX HOLIDAY August 10 & 11 set for tax exemption weekend BOSTON Senator Michael R. Knapik (R-Westfield) announced today that a bill creating a sales tax holiday this summer has been approved by the Senate. The bill will designate August 10 and 11 of this year as sales tax holidays. The sales tax holiday, which has occurred in each year since 2004 except 2009, suspends the sales tax on almost all purchases under $2500. Vehicles, motorized boats, tobacco, meals, and utilities are excluded. I am very happy to support this initiative, said Knapik. I know it has been beneficial to my constituents and their families who get a chance to save some of their hard-earned money, especially during back-to-school time. It is also helpful to area businesses which have traditionally seen enormous increases in transactions on these days. Support for a tax holiday this year has been growing recently, but solidified when reports released this week by the Department of Revenue indicated tax collections were up 4.8%

from last year, and totaled $627 million above projections. Last years tax-free weekend produced nearly $400 million in sales. The tax holiday is a great way to give the economy a boost during an otherwise slow shopping season. This is also an effective means for Massachusetts to appeal to consumers from neighboring states that may not be afforded the same benefits, concluded Knapik. ###