TAX NEWS - JUNE 2010

Boston Tax: Patrick receptive to sales tax holiday

Gov. Deval Patrick says he would support a sales tax holiday this summer if the state can afford it.

The Democrat made the statement today, despite offering a budget with service cuts triggered by falling tax collections. The House and Senate have also passed budgets that would make 4-percent local aid cuts to cities and towns.

And all three budget proposals are balanced with $700 million in federal aid that remains in doubt.

Patrick says he's "very interested in" a sales tax holiday if the state can afford it, but adds he isn't confidence of that yet.

Under the plan, the state's 6.25 percent sales tax would be waived on certain goods for a weekend in August.

The state skipped the holiday last year for budget reasons. This year is a gubernatorial election year.