Commonwealth Continues Efforts to Assist Local Businesses

For Immediate Release: Contact: Alicia DelVento 09/17/2020 Alicia.DelVento@mahouse.gov

Commonwealth Continues Efforts to Assist Local Businesses

Administration Launches “My Local MA” Campaign

(BOSTON)- Representative Danielle W. Gregoire (D-Marlborough), legislative leaders in the House and Senate and the Baker-Polito Administration have continued their efforts over the last month to further support Massachusetts' local business community which has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, September 15th, Governor Baker, Lt. Governor Polito, Senate President Spilka, and House Speaker DeLeo announced an extension of tax relief measures for impacted local businesses. Specifically, legislative leaders have further deferred the payment of sales, meals and room occupancy taxes for qualifying businesses for March 2020 through April 2021, to May 2021. Businesses that paid less than $150,000 in regular sales plus meals taxes or less than $150,000 in room occupancy taxes in the year ending February 29th 2020, would be eligible. Businesses that do not meet the eligibility criteria will have late-file and late-pay penalties waived.

In addition to this administrative tax relief measure, the Administration has also recently announced the launch of the My Local MA campaign. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage residents to support their local small businesses by showcasing that Massachusetts businesses are open and following the safety protocols and practices that have been put in place. Additionally, the "My Local MA" campaign will emphasize the importance of practicing social distancing and wearing a mask while frequenting our shops, restaurants and local tourist attractions.

"I am proud that Massachusetts leaders have continued to provide the supports and services necessary for our local small businesses,” said Representative Danielle W. Gregoire (D-Marlborough), House Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. "My colleagues and I have made it a priority to listen to our residents and our business communities so that we could make the necessary adjustments and provide the critical resources needed to withstand the struggles of this pandemic. There have been a number of proposals that we have sought to enact to alleviate these burdens. Whether it be through easing outdoor dining restrictions and expanding alcohol delivery options for our restaurants, deferring the payment of sales, meals and occupancy taxes or the latest “My Local MA” campaign which seeks to shine a spotlight on our local economies, we will continue to make every effort necessary to ensure our small businesses are protected.”

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