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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UPDATE: Juvenile in Custody After Arrest Warrants Issued for Pittsfield Shooting

Staff reportsiBerkshires

Updated on 08252026 at noon: Pittsfield police provided an update indicating a juvenile allegedly connected to the shooting is in custody.


PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Police were granted arrest warrants for two people suspected to be responsible for the Aug. 16 shooting on Francis Avenue. 

Jason Wright, 41, and an unnamed juvenile are charged with assault and battery, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling, and possession of a gun without an FID card or license to carry. 

On Aug. 16, near 211 Francis Ave., three individuals suffered gunshot wounds and were all transported to Berkshire Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. This is one of four gun violence incidents on city streets this summer. 

Police say two of the individuals who suffered gunshot wounds are the subjects of the arrest warrants.

"I first want to commend the Pittsfield Police Department on solving this case in just eight days. They, along with members of the Task Force who provided support when needed, worked around the clock to identify those responsible," District Attorney Timothy Shugrue wrote on Monday. 
 
The DA said he understands that Pittsfield remains on edge, and said he is fully committed to providing resources, including funding for overtime and State Police detective resources, to support the Pittsfield Police Department as it continues its active investigations into the June 18, Aug. 4t, and Aug. 16 shootings. 

"No stone will be left unturned. If you bring violence and guns to our county, you will be held responsible to the greatest extent of the law," he wrote. 

The first arrest warrant issued is for a juvenile. The juvenile is charged with:

  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Attempted murder
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID card/license to carry
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID card/license to carry

The second arrest warrant is for Jason Wright, 41, with a last known address on Woodlawn Avenue. Wright is charged with:

  • Attempted murder
  • Assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a firearm
  • Two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, to wit a Firearm
  • Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
  • Possession of a firearm in commission of a felony
  • Possession of a firearm without an FID/LTC
  • Possession of ammunition without an FID/LTC

There have been four gun violence incidents in Pittsfield since mid-June, leaving one person dead and a total of seven injured. Additionally, a Lanesborough man is facing multiple charges for allegedly shooting a gun near homes and a road while intoxicated on Sunday. 

On June 18, a person died after being shot in the area of Tyler Street and Pleasure Avenue, and another person was injured. Following an extensive investigation, police on June 23 had an arrest warrant out for Terry Martizna, 35, on a charge of murder.

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