How Much Revenue Has The Local Meals Excise Tax Brought In?

Question: When did Tewksbury voters adopt the excise tax on meals? I don't remember it. When did it go into effect and how much revenue has it brought in?

Answer: The reader is talking about the .75 percent local excise tax on meals at local restaurants. The excise tax, which is on top of the state's 6.25 percent meals tax, amounts to about 15 cents on a $20 meal bill.

For the answers to the reader's questions, we turned to Tewksbury Finance Director Karen Shree Kucala. According to Kucala, the town received three payments from the State Department of Revenue for the meals excise tax during FY 12 and one so far during FY 13.

Here is her complete response:

"The Town Adopted MGL c.64L ss 2(a) at the 2011 ATM on 5-2-11. The local excise, which is imposed in addition to the 6.25 percent state sales tax on meals, takes effect on the first day of the calendar quarter following thirty days after acceptance by the city or town or on the first day of a later calendar quarter that the city or town may designate…” 

Therefore, it became effective 7-1-2011 and the town received the following fees to date:

(FY12) 9-30-11            36,819.45

(FY12) 3-29-12          108,752.45

(FY12) 6-28-12          107,228.53

          Total FY12      252,800.43

(FY13) 9-27-12          126,250.04

So, according to Kucala, the grand total brought in by the meals excise tax thus far is $379,050.47.