Ahead of the sales tax holiday this weekend in Massachusetts, New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte is making a pitch for year-round tax-free shopping in the Granite State.
Ayotte, an avid runner, completed a little shopping at Millennium Running in Bedford on Wednesday while delivering a message to consumers from south of the state line.
The Massachusetts sales tax holiday is this upcoming weekend, and Ayotte said she wanted to remind Bay Staters that they can enjoy lower prices in New Hampshire whenever they like.
“I know that Massachusetts is having this so-called tax holiday this weekend,” Ayotte said. “Every single day in New Hampshire, we do not have a sales tax. So, come to New Hampshire. You can buy what you want any day of the week, and you don’t have to pay a sales tax.”
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
There’s a spirit of fun to the campaign, but the amount of money at stake is significant. According to the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, a 2015 study found that the tax holiday generates an average of $168 million in sales that would otherwise go to New Hampshire or to the internet.
The same study determined that those two days of tax-free shopping increase Massachusetts employment by an average of 627 jobs and boost real disposable income by an average of $37 million.
In response, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey touted various qualities of the Bay State.
“Massachusetts is ranked the No. 1 state for education, health care, innovation and to raise a family,” Healey said in a statement. “I encourage shoppers from across Massachusetts and the globe to visit our incredible businesses on the sales tax holiday and every day and for businesses to look to Massachusetts to build their future.”
Ayotte said the New Hampshire advantage is about more than just a different approach to taxation.
“Which is very, very real and in such a contrast to Massachusetts,” Ayotte said. “It’s about our freedom, our way of life.”
