Deval Signs Repeal of 6.25 Percent Tech Tax

Gov. Deval Patrick repealed the tech tax yesterday, a move welcomed by an industry leader who said “it never should have become law.”

The governor’s signature brought an end to a months-long debate over the 
6.25 percent software services tax, that was passed in July as part of a $500 million transportation package. House and Senate lawmakers, as well as Patrick, reversed course on the tax after the tech industry criticized it as a job killer and said it was too vague.

“Repealing the tech tax is a necessary step, but it never should have become law,” Felix Browne, vice president of the Massachusetts High Tech Council, said yesterday.

A spokeswoman for the state Department of Revenue said the state had collected $717,000 under the tech tax, and the 192 taxpayers who paid can file an abatement by Dec. 31 to get a refund.