June 17, 2026

2026 Sales Tax Holiday Weekend Announced

The MA House of Representatives and State Senate have adopted resolutions (H.5495 & S.3119) setting the date for this year’s annual Sales Tax Holiday weekend, for August 8 & 9, 2026.
  
The sales tax exemption applies for those two days to any retail purchase made in the Commonwealth, both in-store and online, of $2,500 or less, with certain exceptions.  While the rules of the holiday weekend remain unchanged, members are encouraged to review these helpful FAQs from the MA Department of Revenue (DOR). 
 
For more information, the specific rules governing the Sales Tax Holiday can be found in the DOR regulation, 830 CMR 64H.1.8: Sales Tax Holiday.
 

RAM Supports Energy Coalition Call to Preserve Consumer Choice

 
Energy costs and affordability concerns are weighing on residents, families and small businesses across the Commonwealth.  As a member of the Mass Coalition for Sustainable Energy, RAM is working closely with a coalition of business, employer, and labor groups to enact affordable and reliable energy policies in Massachusetts.
 
With a debate coming in the State Senate next week, it is vital that your legislators hear from you on the need to keep all sources of energy on the table, and to preserve consumer choice.  Everyone is struggling with high energy prices and we need an affordability policy, but eliminating any key sources, such as natural gas, is completely unrealistic. Removing our choice will only worsen the state's energy supply problems and drive prices up even further.
 
Let your Senator know that policy action like that doesn't work for businesses and ratepayers. We should concentrate on ways to cut costs.
 
Click here to contact your State Senator and the Senate leadership.
 

Massachusetts Child Labor Law Reminder  

With the summer season upon us, 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 must 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 entertainment industry 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.  
• Penalties: 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.  For your convenience, here is a copy of the Attorney General’s Child Labor Laws Poster for use in your workplace.     

The MA Special Legislative Commission to Study the Future of Payments and Sales Transactions by Credit Card recently held its third hearing.  However, the public comment period remains open.  Do not miss your opportunity to share your story and submit testimony: 

• Do you pay too much in swipe fees to the credit card companies? 
• Do you have any leverage in dealing with credit card companies when disputes arise?
• Can your business afford to keep operating under the status quo?  

Credit and Debit Card ‘Swipe’ Fees Cost a Record $198.25 Billion in 2025
 
As a RAM member, a retailer, restauranteur, auto service shop or any other type of seller, you know this story.  You know well the challenges that small businesses face every day and the compounding effect that the ever-increasing interchange and swipe fees have on your ability to run your business and stay competitive.  The Commission was established, by law, in response to RAM and others continued legislative push to eliminate the statutory prohibition on surcharging a customer that elects to pay by credit card, and to expose the overall swipe fee crisis.  RAM was named to a seat on the Commission.  And now to help make the case for solutions, we need to set the stage.