Massachusetts might not become “Taxachusetts” again but the recession has taken its toll. The biggest impact: The state will raise its sales tax to 6.25 percent from 5 percent on Aug 1. Further, the new budget law will let municipalities add 0.75 percentage point to the tax to help pay for local services, raising it to a maximum of 7 percent. They’ll also be allowed to impose a 2-percent lodging tax, which would presumably fall disproportionately on out-of-staters.
