Hinds accepts seat on tax review commission
Boston — Sen. Adam G. Hinds, D-Pittsfield, has announced today that he has accepted an invitation from state Revenue Commissioner Christopher C. Harding to serve on the Commonwealth’s Tax Expenditure Review Commission.
Established by statute in 2018, the purpose of the Commission is to review each tax expenditure every five years and evaluate its purpose, intent, goal and effectiveness. Tax expenditures are special provisions of the tax code such as exclusions, deductions, deferrals, credits and tax rates that benefit specific activities or groups of taxpayers.
The Commission will focus on past and forecasted impacts on state and local taxing authorities, including revenue loss versus gain; jobs created, retained or lost; and return on investment. Similar tax expenditures offered in other states, as well as impacts on regional and national competitiveness, will also be evaluated. A report is due to the Legislature by March 1, 2020.
As outlined in law, the Commission comprises the following members or their duly appointed designees:
- Commissioner of revenue, who shall serve as chair;
- State auditor;
- State treasurer;
- Chair, House Committee on Ways and Means;
- Chair, Senate Committee on Ways and Means;
- House chair, Committee on Revenue;
- Senate chair, Committee on Revenue;
- House minority leader;
- Senate minority leader; and
- Three appointees of the governor.
Hinds is the Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue and will serve on the Commission in that capacity. He is currently leading a separate but related effort, the Senate Revenue Working Group, which is charged by Senate President Karen E. Spilka, D-Ashland, with assessing the existing Massachusetts revenue system and exploring ways to update and improve it, with the primary goal of ensuring the Commonwealth’s system of revenue collection generates sufficient funds in a predictable, sustainable and fair manner while contributing to a vibrant and competitive economy and ensuring taxpayer accountability.
