Rhode Islanders take advantage of tax-free weekend in Massachusetts

By: Ellie Romano

Email: ERomano@ABC6.com

Twitter: @ERomanoABC6

SEEKONK, Mass. (WLNE) – The tax-free holiday weekend drew crowds of people to shopping centers across Massachusetts. 

“Tax-free brings shoppers out in droves,” said the general manager of the Best Buy in Seekonk, David Sanders. 

Legislation signed into law in Massachusetts in 2018 established an annual sales tax holiday for one weekend each year.

Retail items of up to $2,500, purchased in Massachusetts for personal use during the holiday weekend, will be exempt from sales tax.

“It’s a win-win for the business and the consumer who’s looking to save some money,” said shopper Teresa Pereria, who’s using the holiday to buy a new laptop for her son. 

In Rhode Island, there is no sales tax holiday. So, many shoppers from the Ocean State are crossing state lines to get discounts this weekend. 

“We’re literally a mile from Rhode Island,” said Sanders. “We get a lot of customers that come here and buy products and take them over the border.”

He said his store has a regular crowd from Rhode Island, but the numbers go up during the tax-free weekend. 

©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2019