Learn about tax deductions

Abandoned Building Renovation Deduction

Massachusetts allows certain businesses to deduct 10% of the costs incurred in renovating certain buildings located in an Economic Opportunity Area (EOA).

Alimony Paid

A deduction is allowed for the total amount paid to a former spouse during the taxable year for alimony or separate maintenance under a court decree.

Child Support Payments do not qualify as an alimony deduction; amounts are not deductible by the payer and are not included in Massachusetts gross income by the recipient.

Allowable Excess Trade or Business Deduction

To determine if you have excess deductions please complete Schedule C-2.

Child and dependent related credits

Please note that beginning in the 2021 tax year, child and dependent related deductions are now credits.

A deduction is allowed for amounts paid to care for a qualifying child, or a disabled dependent or spouse so that a taxpayer may work or look for work. Massachusetts bases its child care expense deduction on the amount of qualifying expenses used to compute the federal child care credit under I.R.C. § 21.

Learn about the Claim of Right deduction

Taxpayers who have paid Massachusetts personal income taxes in a prior year on income attributed to them under a "claim of right" may deduct such amounts of that income from their gross income if it is later determined that they:  1.) were not in fact entitled to the income, and 2.) have repaid the amounts in question.

Commuter Deduction

You can deduct certain commuting costs against your Form 1 or 1-NR/PY income for:

• Tolls paid through an E-ZPass MA account
• The cost of weekly or monthly passes for:
  • MBTA transit 
  • Bus 
  • Commuter rail
  • Commuter boat

Learn more with the Massachusetts Commuter Deduction tutorial.

Compensation, Injury and Sickness Benefits

Learn about tax deductions for compensation, injury, and sickness benefits.

Education Related Deductions

Learn about education related deduction

Employee Business Expenses

You may deduct trade, business, and certain other business expenses. Learn more.

Losses from Criminally Fraudulent Investment Arrangements

Fraudulent arrangements often take the form of so-called "Ponzi" schemes, in which the party perpetrating the fraud receives cash or property from investors, purports to earn income for the investors, and reports to the investors income amounts that are wholly or partially fictitious.

Medical Related Deductions

Learn more about medical related deductions.

Moving Expenses

Employees or self-employed individuals may deduct the expense of moving themselves and their families provided the move relates to employment or business income that is subject to Massachusetts tax. 

View miscellaneous income tax deductions

You may be able to claim certain deductions on your Massachusetts personal income tax return.

Out-of-State Employee Contributory Government Pension

Individuals who move into Massachusetts and receive pension distributions from their former states' public employee retirement plans may deduct such amounts from Massachusetts gross income if the former state does not tax income received by its residents from Massachusetts contributory public employee retirement plans.

Rent Paid

Learn who is eligible and how to claim a rental deduction in Massachusetts.

Social Security (FICA) and Medicare Deduction

Learn about the Social Security (FICA) and Medicare Deduction

Nonresident and Part-Year Resident Deductions and Exemptions

Nonresidents and part-year residents have to follow certain rules when it comes to personal income tax exemptions and deductions.