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June 15, 2023

 

Sales Tax Holiday Weekend Set for August 12 & 13, 2023

 
Today, the Massachusetts Legislature adopted a resolution (H.3916) setting the dates for this year’s Sales Tax Holiday, now confirmed to be held on the weekend of August 12th and 13th, 2023. 
 
During the annual Sales Tax Holiday weekend, most purchases by individuals of single items of tangible personal property costing $2,500 or less are exempt from sales and use taxes, with certain exceptions. 
 
Specific rules governing the Sales Tax Holiday can be found on the Department of Revenue’s (DOR) website, in regulation 830 CMR 64H.1.8: Sales Tax Holiday.  

From Boston Globe OPINION
June 9, 2023


Installing bike and bus lanes requires public debate

The problem isn’t with the concept of bike lanes but, rather, the lack of public conversation or transparency.

 

They are popping up everywhere. On main streets across the Commonwealth, roads are being redesigned and parking spots and travel lanes are being taken over for bike and bus lanes.

While reducing carbon emissions is a sound goal, achieving this goal without trampling over the rights of residents and small businesses is a real challenge.
Increasingly, we see municipalities install bike and bus lanes with little public debate or notice. Seniors, the disability community, neighborhood associations, or small businesses are not seriously consulted. 

Click here to keep reading Op-Ed by Jon Hurst and Barbara Anthony


Summer Retail Holiday Reminder

Members are reminded of their statutory obligations under the state Blue Laws for the upcoming retail holidays of Juneteenth Independence Day (Monday, June 19th), Independence Day (Tuesday, July 4th) and Labor Day (Monday, September 4th).  While retail premium pay is no longer required on these holidays, all work performed at certain retail establishments must be voluntary and refusal to work shall not be grounds for discrimination, dismissal, discharge reduction in hours, or any other penalty.  

For more information regarding retail holidays please visit the RAM 2023 Retail Holiday Calendar.
 

 

Massachusetts Child Labor Law Reminder

With the summer season fast approaching, thousands of summer jobs are set to be filled by our youth as the Commonwealth’s school year comes to an end.  Retailers are reminded of the state’s child labor laws enforced by the Office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.   

  • Minimum wage: The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $15 an hour. Even workers under 18 should be paid at least $15 an hour.
  • Under 14: Minors under 14 may not work.  There are limited exceptions, such as baby-sitting, news carrier, farm work, or working in entertainment (special waiver).
  • Work Permit: All workers ages 14-18 are required to obtain a Youth Employment Permit prior to employment.  Employers must keep the original work permit at the minor’s workplace as long as the minor works there or until the minor reaches age 18.  Minors 14 and 15 years of age must also have their doctor complete a Physician’s Certificate of Health within the previous 12 months of the date the minor applies for a work permit.
  • Hazardous Jobs: Teens under 18 years of age may not do certain kinds of dangerous work. 
  • Supervision: After 8 p.m., all workers under 18 must have the direct and immediate supervision of an adult supervisor who is located in the workplace and is reasonably accessible to the minor.
  • Legal Work Hours for Minors: Massachusetts law controls how early and how late minors may work and how many hours they may work, based on their age.  Members should note that these restrictions may vary when school is not in session.  

 
Convictions for employing, inducing, or permitting any minor to work in violation of child labor laws are subject to a criminal fine of $500-$5,000 and/or up to one month in prison for each offense.  In addition, civil citations for child labor law violations may be issued in amounts of up to $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and up to $2,500 for a third and subsequent offense, including up to three years of past violations.
 
For a complete list of restrictions contained in the law please visit the Attorney General’s website.