Massachusetts Question 5 — State revenue growth limit and taxpayer rebates

What it does

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026? This proposed law would change the limit on how much revenue the state can collect in a given year. The proposal would limit state revenue in a given year to the net amount of state revenue from the year before, increased by a rate equal to the average growth of wages and salaries in Massachusetts over the most recent three years. If revenue collected by the state in a given year exceeds the limit, the excess amount would be refunded to taxpayers the following year. The proposed law would include all revenue from the surtax on incomes over $1 million when calculating the revenue limit and when determining whether state revenue exceeds the limit. The provisions of the proposed law would all be effective as of July 1, 2027. The proposed law states that, if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.

A YES vote means

A YES VOTE would change the limit on state revenue collection, tying it to prior year collections plus average wage and salary growth, and provide for a rebate of revenue exceeding that limit.

A NO vote means

A NO VOTE would make no change in the law relative to state revenue collection.

Needed to pass

A simple majority

Put on the ballot by

citizen initiative

Official text: source

Also on Massachusetts ballots

• Question 1 — Public records law applied to the Legislature and Governor
• Question 2 — Collective bargaining for Committee for Public Counsel Services employees
• Question 3 — All-party (top-two) primary elections
• Question 4 — Election Day voter registration
• Question 6 — Nature for All Fund from sporting-goods sales taxes
• Question 7 — Single-family homes on 5,000 sq ft lots
• Question 8 — Repeal of retail sale of adult-use marijuana
• Question 9 — Firearms law (Chapter 135 of the Acts of 2024)

All Massachusetts races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Massachusetts Question 5 mean?

A YES VOTE would change the limit on state revenue collection, tying it to prior year collections plus average wage and salary growth, and provide for a rebate of revenue exceeding that limit.

What does a NO vote on Massachusetts Question 5 mean?

A NO VOTE would make no change in the law relative to state revenue collection.

How many votes does Massachusetts Question 5 need to pass?

A simple majority

Should I vote yes or no on Massachusetts Question 5?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Early voting and mail-ballot deadlines vary by state; check your state or county election office.