Lynch: Shopping Always Tax-Free in New Hampshire

Gov. John Lynch met this morning with representatives from several retailers at the in advance of this weekend's “tax-free holiday” in Massachusetts to remind shoppers that every day is a tax-free holiday in New Hampshire.

The sales tax holiday allows shoppers in Masschusetts to pay no tax on any single item that costs less than $2,500, with some restrictions.

The Lynch kept it short and sweet, speaking ahead of Dennis DiPaolo, chairman of the Retail Merchants Association of New Hampshire, spoke to how the sales tax holiday inundates retailers in Massachusetts. who later said he rarely shops for anything outside the state because he hates paying a tax on it.

“Frankly, my friends down there tell me that they really like the money, but they don't like how difficult it is and how a whole month's worth of business gets squished into a day,” DiPaolo said.

DiPaolo said he believes New Hampshire has better better sales people and friendlier sales people who improve the shopping experience in New Hampshire.

Speaking with Patch following the press conference, DiPaolo said he rarely shops outside the state because he doesn't want to pay the tax.

“As a New Hampshire resident, when you buy something in another state, doesn't it make you mad when you have to pay a tax?” DiPaolo asked. “It's like there's an electronic dog collar at the border that keeps me from opening my wallet in other states.”

He also said the morning's message was more intended as a reminder to New Hampshire's neighbors that you can shop tax-free in New Hampshire 365 days a year. DiPaolo said he met people once who lived in Leominster, not too far from New Hampshire's border, who never knew there is no sales tax here.

Shopper Terry McKardle, of Merrimack, shared DiPaolo's sentiments on shopping in states with sales tax.

“It irritates me when I travel and go to the check out line and I'm waiting for my change and don't get any,” McKardle said.

McKardle was shopping with her daughter Meredith who was visiting from Baltimore. Meredith McKardle said she likes shopping when she's visiting because “you definitely save some money.”

Lynch touted the importance of attracting shoppers to New Hampshire because of how it helps the economy. Retail also plays a huge role in the job market in the state, Lynch said, as one in five employees of businesses in New Hampshire work in retail.

“Visitors who stay and shop and eat in New Hampshire are very important to our economy and to our state,” Lynch said. “And as governor, I want to do everything possible to encourage more people to come to our great state of New Hampshire, whether it is for a week, or whether it is for a few hours of shopping.”