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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Pittsfield Eyes OPM for Crosby/Conte, Seeks Funds for PHS

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city plans to hire an owner's project manager for the Crosby/Conte proposal this week and pursue additional school construction funds from the MSBA. 

The School Building Needs Commission last week voted to move forward with a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority seeking funds to renovate Pittsfield High School.

Interim Superintendent Latifah Philips reported that the MSBA's core program statement of interest filing period is open until April 17, if the commission would like to consider it for renovations to PHS.  According to MSBA's website, the core program is intended for new construction, addition, and/or renovation projects. 

Members recognized that it is a tight schedule to put together an SOI, but agreed it is best to try. 

Pittsfield is seeking up to 80 percent reimbursement from the MSBA to rebuild and consolidate John C. Crosby Elementary and Silvio O. Conte Community School on the Crosby property.  

The MSBA has invited the district to a feasibility study phase, and a selection committee is working to bring forward applicants for an owner's project manager. This hired consultant oversees a construction or design project in the owner's interest. 

Owner's project manager proposals were due on Feb. 18, and Pittsfield received nine proposals. Last Monday, the OPM search committee finalized three selections for public interviews, which were to be held on Friday at City Hall; the selection package is due to the MSBA by March 11. 

During last week's School Committee meeting, Phillips said the district is on track to submit for consideration on April 6.  

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