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Bill

S 1982

An Act exempting residential security systems from sales tax

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Ryan Fattman and 1 co-sponsor

Massachusetts bill exempts residential security system purchases and installation from 6.25% sales tax, reducing consumer costs but decreasing state revenue.

Hearing scheduled for 09/29/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-1
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 1982

Legislative bill overview

S 1982 proposes exempting residential security systems from Massachusetts sales tax. The bill would remove the current 6.25% sales tax applied to purchases of security system equipment and installation for homeowners.

Why is this important

Sales tax exemptions directly reduce costs for consumers adopting security technology and effectively subsidize home security through foregone state revenue. This could influence household purchasing decisions around security investments and affects the state budget by reducing tax collections.

Potential points of contention

  • Revenue impact: The bill reduces state tax revenue; the fiscal cost depends on current security system purchase volume and must be offset elsewhere or reduce services
  • Equity concerns: Tax exemptions benefit higher-income households more likely to afford security systems, potentially raising regressive taxation questions
  • Definition clarity: The bill requires clear definition of what qualifies as a "residential security system" to prevent misuse (e.g., claiming non-security equipment)
  • Commercial competition: Exempting residential systems while commercial systems remain taxed creates different incentive structures across market segments

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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