Mass February Revenue Collections Exceed Benchmark by $59 Million

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Mass February Revenue Collections Exceed Benchmark by $59 Million
 
BOSTON — Preliminary revenue collections for February totaled $2.336 billion, an increase of $208 million, or 9.8 percent, compared to the same month in 2025, Department of Revenue Commissioner Geoffrey Snyder announced. 
 
The total was $59 million, or 2.6 percent, above the established monthly benchmark.
 
For the 2026 fiscal year to date, collections stand at approximately $26.305 billion. This is $817 million more than the same period in fiscal year 2025 and $589 million above the year-to-date benchmark.
 
Commissioner Snyder attributed the February growth to increases in withholding and non-withholding income tax. These gains were partially offset by declines in sales, corporate, and business taxes. Snyder noted that the rise in withholding was due to timing factors, while the non-withholding increase was driven by a decrease in refunds.
 
"The decrease in sales tax is due, in part, to typical timing factors in tax collections," Snyder said, adding that corporate tax declines resulted from lower estimated payments and higher refunds.
 
Historically, February is the lowest revenue-producing month for the Commonwealth, as neither individuals nor businesses are required to make estimated payments, and income tax refunds typically reach substantial levels.
 
Details:
 
Income tax collections for February totaled $1.412 billion, $127 million or 9.9 percent  above benchmark, and $285 million or 25.3percent  more than February 2025.
 
Withholding tax collections for February totaled $1.979 billion, $77 million or 4.0 percent  above benchmark, and $274 million or 16.0percent  more than February 2025.
 
Income tax estimated payments for February totaled $25 million, $1 million or 5.0 percent  below monthly benchmark, and $2 million or 9.1percent  less than February 2025.
 
Income tax returns and bills for February totaled $82 million, $1 million or 1.0 percent  below benchmark, and $6 million or 7.0percent  less than February 2025.
 
Income tax cash refunds for February totaled $674 million in outflows, $52 million or 7.2 percent  below benchmark, and $20 million or 2.8percent  less than February 2025.
 
Sales and use tax collections for February totaled $649 million, $37 million or 5.4 percent  below benchmark, and $33 million or 4.8percent  less than February 2025.
 
Corporate and business tax collections for February totaled $23 million, $38 million or 62.8 percent  below benchmark, and $41 million or 64.4percent  less than February 2025.
 
"All other" tax collections for February totaled $252 million, $8 million or 3.4percent  above benchmark, but $3 million or 1.2 percent  less than February 2025.
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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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