Government Affairs - Detail

Important Reminder on Local Option Taxes

September 29, 2009

The MLA is reminding members that, as of October 1, those municipalities that voted on increasing the local tax on lodging will enforce the new rates.

Over the summer, the FY10 budget included provisions that allow cities and towns to increase their local lodging taxes from 4% to 6%.
The statewide occupancy tax of 5.7 percent remains unchanged.
35 municipalities have voted to increase their respective local taxes effective October 1. A list of those towns in which the new rates will take effect may be found here: http://www.mass.gov/Ador/docs/dls/mdmstuf/LocalOptions/roomstax.xls
MLA members are further reminded that October 1 is also the effective date for municipalities that voted before August 31 to add the new local meals excise of 0.75% to the new statewide sales tax rate of 6.25%. A complete list of the 32 towns that adopted this new meals excise tax may be found here: http://www.mass.gov/Ador/docs/dls/mdmstuf/LocalOptions/LOMeals.xls.
Members are encouraged to contact their local assessors to ensure compliance with local ordinances.