Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in Massachusetts
Massachusetts exempts gold and silver bullion, coins and rare numismatic coins from sales tax when the sale totals $1,000 or more. Smaller sales are taxable.
Massachusetts charges sales tax on gold and silver purchases under $1,000, but exempts qualifying purchases of $1,000 or more. The exemption covers rare coins of numismatic value, gold or silver bullion or coins, and gold or silver legal tender of any nation traded and sold for its precious-metal value.
What Qualifies for the Exemption
Three categories of metal are named in the exemption:
- Rare coins of numismatic value
- Gold or silver bullion or coins
- Gold or silver legal tender of any nation traded and sold according to its value as precious metal
The third category means a gold or silver coin issued by any country qualifies when it trades on its metal value rather than as a collectible. The second covers bullion and bullion coins.
What Does Not Qualify
“Bullion” excludes fabricated precious metal processed for industrial, professional or artistic uses. Only gold and silver bullion and coins, plus rare numismatic coins, are named in the exemption. Platinum and palladium are not named.
The $1,000 Threshold
The exemption applies to sales of $1,000 or more. A sale below $1,000 is taxable. The threshold is measured against the sale, so a single transaction that reaches $1,000 qualifies while a smaller one does not.
| Purchase | Sales tax in Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Qualifying gold or silver bullion, coins or legal tender, $1,000 or more | Exempt |
| Same items, under $1,000 | Taxable |
| Rare coins of numismatic value, $1,000 or more | Exempt |
| Fabricated precious metal for industrial, professional or artistic use | Not covered by the exemption |
| Platinum or palladium | Not named in the exemption |
Local Sales Taxes
The rule is set in the state statute and no separate local treatment is stated for it.
The Official Source
The exemption appears in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 64H, Section 6, with a copy published by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. The rule was checked in October 2026 and can change with new legislation. Confirm the current treatment with the state before a large purchase.
For how precious metals are treated at the federal level, see sales tax on gold.
What Buyers Commonly Get Wrong
One common error is assuming every gold or silver purchase in Massachusetts is exempt. The exemption has a dollar floor: sales under $1,000 are taxable, so a small coin purchase does not qualify.
A second error is treating the exemption as covering all precious metals. Only gold and silver bullion and coins, gold and silver legal tender, and rare numismatic coins are named. Platinum and palladium are not named.
A third error is reading “bullion” as any metal object. Fabricated precious metal processed for industrial, professional or artistic uses is excluded from the definition.
A fourth error is assuming a series of small purchases combines into one exempt sale. The statute speaks of sales of $1,000 or more, so the size of the individual sale is what matters.
Because the rule can change with new legislation, and because the treatment of a specific item depends on how it is classified, buyers with a particular purchase in mind should consult a tax professional or their own preparer about their own situation.
Common questions
Is there a sales tax on gold and silver in Massachusetts?
Sales of $1,000 or more of rare coins of numismatic value, gold or silver bullion or coins, or gold or silver legal tender of any nation traded and sold for its precious-metal value are exempt. Sales under $1,000 are taxable.
What is the threshold for the Massachusetts precious metals exemption?
The exemption applies to sales of $1,000 or more. A sale below $1,000 does not qualify and is taxable.
Does the Massachusetts exemption cover platinum and palladium?
No. Only gold and silver bullion and coins, gold and silver legal tender, and rare coins of numismatic value are named in the exemption. Platinum and palladium are not named.
Does the exemption cover fabricated precious metal?
No. "Bullion" excludes fabricated precious metal processed for industrial, professional or artistic uses.
Read next
- Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in Virginia Virginia exempts gold, silver and platinum bullion and legal tender coins from sales tax, with no minimum purchase. The exemption sunsets July 1, 2028.
- Sales Tax on Gold and Silver in Washington Washington began taxing retail sales of precious metal and monetized bullion on January 1, 2026. See what qualifies, what stays exempt, and what buyers get wrong.
- Sales Tax on Gold and Silver: State Rules Sales tax on gold and silver varies by state. Learn the common exemptions, thresholds, and product tests, and how to check your own state's rules.
- How Silver Is Taxed: Rates, Rules, and Reporting Silver is taxed as a collectible, not as a stock. Learn the federal rates, reporting thresholds, and state sales tax rules for selling silver coins and bullion.
- How Gold Is Taxed in the US: The Collectibles Rule Physical gold is a capital asset that is also a collectible, which caps its long-term rate at 28% instead of 20%. What triggers that rate, and what does not.