This Sales Tax Holiday Weekend, Shop Local

This Sales Tax Holiday Weekend, Shop Local to Support the Community and Save

The Sales Tax Holiday in Massachusetts will return this Saturday and Sunday, August 17 and 18, and the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce encourages residents to shop local and be deliberate in considering our small, independent businesses for purchases.

This Sales Tax Holiday marks the first since it was made permanent as part of the “Grand Bargain” legislation passed last year. The Commonwealth offers this tax-free weekend in August in an attempt to boost the local economy at a time when retail sales are traditionally slow. To that end, the sales tax exemption incorporates most items costing less than $2,500 but does not exempt meals, motor vehicle sales, telecommunications services, tobacco and alcohol products.

Residents planning on taking advantage of tax-free shopping this weekend should know that where you buy is as important as what you buy. Making your retail purchases at independent, locally owned stores makes an investment directly back into the Stoneham community. When you shop local, you support your friends and neighbors, who are largely employed by area businesses. You support the character of your hometown by keeping one-of-a-kind stores and unique destinations thriving. This makes Stoneham even more desirable to new homeowners and instills civic pride in residents. Most importantly, you support the businesses that give back. From free community events like the Summer Concert Series, the Tree Lighting on the Common and Stoneham Town Day to sponsorship of youth sports, senior programming and local arts and cultural initiatives, local businesses offset and absorb the costs associated with these programs.

This Sales Tax Holiday, the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce urges you to consider not just what you purchase, but who you support.

For a full list of non-eligible purchases, as well as frequently asked questions, please visit the Stoneham Chamber website here. The Stoneham Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit membership organization of local businesses that supports the community and each other through advocacy, education, programs and events.