By Bob Katzen

The Revenue Committee accepted written testimony on legislation that would exempt facial coverings from the state’s 6.25 percent sales tax.

Supporters said the demand for face masks to help prevent the spread of the virus is expected to increase dramatically with new workplace regulations going into effect. They noted that while clothing is currently exempt from the sales tax, masks are not considered clothing and are taxed. They argued that the bill would reduce consumer costs for purchasing masks and help increase production by encouragingthe growing cottage industry of non-medical mask makers.

“Local crafters selling face masks are playing an important role in meeting our need for more masks,” said the bill’s sponsor Rep. Josh Cutler (D-Plymouth). “The last thing we want is to see them run afoul of the tax collector or be discouraged from making more.”