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Shoppers Revel In Tax-Free Weekend

Massachusetts' tax-free weekend began Saturday.

Fidel Deesa walks out of a Best Buy store with a new laptop, taking advantage of the back-to-school sales tax holiday, in Hialeah, Fla. (Alan Diaz/AP)
Fidel Deesa walks out of a Best Buy store with a new laptop, taking advantage of the back-to-school sales tax holiday, in Hialeah, Fla. (Alan Diaz/AP)

The 6.25 percent sales tax will be suspended for many purchases. Restaurant meals, tobacco and single items that cost more than $2,500 will be exempt from the suspension.

While legislative leaders have resisted making the law a permanent feature, they have reliably passed the legislation almost every year since it was first enacted in 2004 under Gov. Mitt Romney.

Boston resident Nancy McCarrick visited the Boylston Street Apple Store on Saturday. She said she saved $100 on a computer thanks to the tax-free weekend.

"I think it's a good idea," she said. "I think this time of year, a lot of people have to buy back-to-school clothes and things that stretch their budgets and so if this is just a little bit that helps, I think it's a great idea."

The tax holiday is expected to save shoppers $20 million.

This program aired on August 10, 2013. The audio for this program is not available.

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