What’s the state of public higher education in the Commonwealth? Learn more in our latest presentation outlining federal pandemic relief below:
- Anastasia Martinez
- October 8, 2021
- Presentation
Mass. Public Higher Education and the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF)
Latest
Fundamentally Flawed: 62F Formula Overstates “Excess” by $1.4 Billion
The $2.9 billion estimate of 62F “excess tax collections” recently certified by the State Auditor overstates these net Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 collections by $1.4 billion. The problem is not that the Auditor miscalculated but that the calculation as stipulated in the 62F statute fails to account for situations where taxes are received by the Commonwealth in one fiscal year, but corresponding, offsetting tax credits are not applied until the following fiscal year. This is one of the many fundamental flaws in the 1986 tax cap law (referred to as “62F”).
Where Might Home Sales Be Subject to the Fair Share Amendment? A Local Breakdown
In the majority of Massachusetts cities and towns, no homes sold for a net gain of $1 million or more, meaning they wouldn’t be subject to any additional taxes under the Fair Share Amendment.
62F Credits Benefit the Rich
The “tax cap law,” or what is known as “62F,” sets an artificial limit on how much tax revenue Massachusetts can collect, regardless of the current needs of the Commonwealth. This law in effect transfers to higher income households tax revenue paid by lower income households and does nothing to improve racial or economic equity in our state.
