THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 8, 2025 Page 9 BBB Tip: How to take advantage of tax-free shopping days The 2025 Massachusetts sales tax holiday, also known as the tax-free weekend, is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, and Sunday, August 10. I f you’re gearing up for back-to-school shopping, you might be able to take advantage of tax-free weekends to save on essential supplies. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has tips to help you make the most of these tax holidays. What you’ll learn: • How to find out if your state offers tax-free weekends or holidays • How to make the most of these tax-free shopping days Many states offer tax-free weekends or tax holidays to encourage spending and give shoppers a price break on must-have supplies. Tax-exempt items might include back-to-school items, disaster preparedness supplies, or other consumer goods. Each state has its own list of qualifying items, usually up to a maximum price. With some planning, you can take advantage of your state’s tax holidays for serious savings. How to make the most of a sales tax holiday • Find out when your state holds tax-free sales. Visit the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA) website for an up-to-date list of when each state is having its tax holidays. Usually, these sales occur just before the school year begins, but some holidays happen earlier or later in the year. • Research what items will be tax-exempt. Tax holidays aren’t just for parents of school-age children. Besides school supplies and electronics, some states offer tax exemptions on tools, Energy Star products, generators, emergency preparedness items and even gun safes and hunting supplies. Check the FTA’s website early in the year to see if your state will be waiving taxes on any items you need, particularly high-dollar items like appliances or electronics. • Know the cost limits. States usually cap how much an item can cost to be tax-exempt. For example, some states allow for computer tax exemptions that cost up to $1,000. Check your state’s rules to determine the limits where you live. • Don’t be confused by advertising. Just because a store advertises a “Back-toSchool Sale” doesn’t mean the items are tax-free. Double-check your state’s dates and tax-free list to be sure. • Set your budget before you go shopping. It can be easy to go over budget when you feel you are getting a great deal on an item. Set your budget before you head to the store. • Start with the most expensive items first. Make bigger purchases first to ensure you get the most benefit from tax-free sales. There is often high demand for taxfree items during tax holidays. If you need a new computer and school notebooks, start with the computer and snag it tax-free before it’s out of stock. • Do some deal-stacking. Deal-stacking means using several money-saving methods at once to maximize your savings. Look for coupons and cash-back offers you can use during tax-free holidays to save the most. • Find out if you can shop tax-free online. Many states offer tax exemptions on online purchases, too. Some popular retailers, such as Amazon, automatically take sales tax off any eligible purchase you make. Check your state’s rules to see if you can shop online during tax holidays. For more information For related advice, see the BBB website (bbb.org) for “BBB Tip: Get ready to go back to school” and “BBB tax tips and resources.” In addition, read BBB tips for smart online shopping and learn more about BBB Accreditation Standards and BBB Standards for Trust. JULY BIRTHDAYS: The Saugus Senior Center recognized 13 residents who celebrated their birthdays collectively at the Senior Center on Friday, July 25. Pictured from left to right: First row: Henrietta Belyea, Anne Tucker, Bill Bidmead, Eleanor Blaney, Cathy Dortona, Lucielle Moisture, Kathy Billings and Donna McNeil; back row: Annette Reed, Diane Corkey, Diane McConnell, Mary McKenzie and Danielle LeBlanc. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) Law Offices of JOSEPH D. CATALDO, P.C. “ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW” • ESTATE/MEDICAID PLANNING • WILLS/TRUSTS/ESTATES • INCOME TAX PREPARATION • WEALTH MANAGEMENT • RETIREMENT PLANNING • ELDER LAW 369 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 (617)381-9600 JOSEPH D. CATALDO, CPA, CFP, MST, ESQUIRE. AICPA Personal Financial Specialist Designee Birthdays are special at the Senior Center O n Friday, July 25, once again, the Saugus Senior Center held its monthly birthday celebration. Each month the Senior Center likes to recognize the Senior birthdays with a collective birthday celebration, usually on the final Friday of the month. Each birthday recipient receives a free pizza lunch, cake, ice cream and a souvenir group photo to take home. If anyone would like to sponsor a birthday in honor of someone special, please stop by the office and let us know.
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