Here’s What Doesn’t Qualify For Mass. Tax Free Weekend

Tax-free weekend is coming to Massachusetts, and it's worth marking your calendar for.

This year it lands on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9. For those two days, the state's 6.25 percent sales tax gets suspended on most retail purchases. There are a ton of local businesses you can patronize and save some money, to boot!

What's not included?

But before you head out to do your shopping, it helps to know what's not included. A handful of items stay taxable no matter what, holiday or not. Here's the list:

Meals are still taxed, so don't expect a break at restaurants. Motor vehicles and motorboats don't qualify either, so if you're in the market for a car or a boat, you'll pay the usual tax. Telecommunications services, gas, steam, and electricity are all excluded too. Tobacco products, marijuana or marijuana products, and alcoholic beverages are off the table as well. -mass.gov

And here's the big one to remember: any single item priced over $2,500 doesn't qualify, even if it's something that would normally be tax-free otherwise. So if you're eyeing a big-ticket purchase like a new TV or a piece of furniture, check the price tag first. Buy it for $2,500 or less and you're in the clear. Go a dollar over that, and you're paying full tax on the whole thing.

Outside of that list, most everyday purchases, clothing, electronics, school supplies, are fair game for the tax break. It's a good weekend to knock out some back-to-school shopping or finally buy that thing you've been putting off.