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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been several important tax updates specific to Massachusetts. Here are the key updates to keep top of mind.

Sales Tax Filings and Payments Postponed
Returns and payments due during the period beginning March 20, 2020 and ending May 31, 2020, inclusive, shall be suspended for sales by vendors whose cumulative liability in the 12-month period ending February 29, 2020 is less than $150,000. All such returns and payments shall be due on June 20, 2020. This suspension does not apply to marijuana retailers, marketplace facilitators or vendors selling motor vehicles.

Occupancy Excise Tax Filings and Payments Postponed
Returns and payments due during the period beginning March 20, 2020 and ending May 31, 2020, inclusive, shall be suspended for operators whose cumulative liability in the 12-month period ending February 29, 2020 is less than $150,000. All such returns and payments, including any local option amounts, shall be due on June 20, 2020. This suspension does not apply to intermediaries.

Meals Tax Penalty Relief
The Department of Revenue will waive any late-file or late-pay penalties for returns and payments due during the period March 20, 2020 through May 31, 2020, for:

• Vendors with meals tax return and payment obligations that do not otherwise qualify for relief under the sales tax filing and payment suspension; and
• Operators and intermediaries with room occupancy excise return and payment obligations pursuant that do not otherwise qualify for relief under the occupancy excise tax filing and payment suspension.

Statutory interest will continue to accrue. To be eligible for a penalty waiver, vendors, operators and intermediaries must file their returns and remit payments on or before June 20, 2020.

We will be updating our resource center regularly to provide you with insights on breaking news and how it may affect your life or your business. Please be sure to check back for new information or reach out to the attorneys at Burns & Levinson for guidance.

View the full article on COVID Considerations here.