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Personal Income Tax for Residents

This guide has general information about Personal Income tax for Massachusetts residents. It is not designed to address all questions which may arise nor to address complex issues in detail. Nothing contained herein supersedes, alters or otherwise changes any provision of the Massachusetts General Laws, Massachusetts Department of Revenue Regulations, Department rulings or any other sources of the law.

Updated: August 8, 2024

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Introduction

5.0%   personal income tax rate for tax year 2023

For tax year 2023, Massachusetts has a 5.0% tax on both earned (salaries, wages, tips, commissions) and unearned (interest, dividends, and capital gains) income. Certain capital gains are taxed at 8.5%. 

Everyone whose Massachusetts gross income is $8,000 or more must file a Massachusetts personal income tax return on or by April 15th following the end of every tax year. If the due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the due date is the next business day. (Note: The $8,000 or more amount is per person and there is no combined filing requirement for a joint return. If an individual meets the $8,000 threshold, they have to file a return and if married, they have the option to file jointly whether or not the spouse has their own filing requirement.)

If you've made an error on a return you've already filed, file an amended return.

Key Actions   for Introduction

Amend your tax return  Learn about the assessment of penalties  Learn about Assessment of Tax  Learn about the interest on your tax underpayment or overpayment  

Tax Year 2023 Filing Season Updates & Video

Are you looking for the latest tax news and updates?

Go to: 

This year’s Filing Season video and Resources (PDF) have you covered. Learn about new tax relief, the short-term capital gains tax rate change, the 4% surtax, and more.

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Filing Requirements

Full-year residents

If you're a full-year resident with an annual Massachusetts gross income of more than $8,000, you must file a Massachusetts tax return.

You're a full-year resident if:

  • Your home is in Massachusetts for the entire tax year, or
  • Your home is not in Massachusetts for the entire tax year but you:
    • Maintain a home in Massachusetts, and spend a total of more than 183 days of the tax year in Massachusetts, including days spent partially in Massachusetts.

Full-year residents use Form 1 - Massachusetts Resident Income Tax Return.

Part-year residents

If you're a part-year resident with an annual Massachusetts gross income of more than $8,000, you must file a Massachusetts tax return.

You're a part-year resident if you:

  • Move to Massachusetts during the tax year and become a resident, or
  • Move out of Massachusetts during the tax year and end your status as a resident.

Part-year residents use Form 1-NR/PY - Massachusetts Nonresident or Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return.

Nonresidents

If you're a nonresident with an annual Massachusetts gross income of more than either $8,000 or the prorated personal exemption, whichever is less, you must file a Massachusetts tax return.

You're a nonresident if you are neither a full-year nor a part-year resident.

Nonresidents use Form 1-NR/PY - Massachusetts Nonresident or Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return.

Key Actions   for Filing Requirements

Personal Income tax forms and instructions  Personal Income Tax  Personal Income Tax for Part-Year Residents  Personal Income Tax for Nonresidents 

Filing Extensions

You automatically get a 6-month extension to file your Massachusetts income tax return as long as you've paid at least 80% of the total amount of tax due on or before the due date, and you're filing:

  • Form 1
  • Form 1-NR/PY
  • Form 2
  • Form 2G
  • Form 3
  • Form 3M
  • Form M-990T-62
  • Form NRCR
  • An estate filing Form M-706

Once the extension is granted, the 6-month extension starts at the filing due date of the original return. You can file your return anytime during the extension period. An extension to file a return doesn't extend the due date for paying any tax due.

Estates seeking an extension of time to file and pay the estate tax must still request approval from DOR by filing Form M-4768. You can file Form M-4768 electronically.

If an extension payment is required to reach the 80% threshold, you can pay electronically. If you need to pay $5,000 or more to qualify for an extension, you are required pay electronically. If you are required to file Form M-4768 electronically, register on MassTaxConnect to file your extension.

Taxpayers affected by presidentially declared disasters in the United States automatically get an extension for filing returns and submitting tax payments. The due date and payment date for returns and payments is extended for a specified period of time announced by the IRS unless we publicly announce otherwise. This extension covers filing tax returns, paying tax (including estimated tax), and filing tax extension forms with us.

Key Actions   for Filing Extensions

Learn about extensions for filing and paying Massachusetts income tax  File your tax return online  Simplified Extension Process for Individuals, Fiduciaries, Partnerships, and Estates  View all electronic filing and payment requirements  Personal Income tax forms and instructions 

Filing Status

Your filing status on your Massachusetts personal income tax can affect your exemptions you're and how much you're taxed.

View more detailed information on filing status to see what this means for you.

Reporting on your original tax return

Enter your filing status on either Form 1 or 1-NR/PY, Line 1, and fill in the appropriate oval. Enter your spouse's Social Security number in the appropriate space at the top of the return under taxpayer's Social Security number. If you're married filing joint, both spouses must sign the return.

Key Actions   for Filing Status

Learn about filing status on Massachusetts personal income tax 

Exemptions

Personal income tax exemptions directly reduce how much tax you owe. Exemptions are generally related to your filing status and number of dependents you report on your tax return, but not always.

Key Actions   for Exemptions

View Massachusetts personal income tax exemptions 

Benefits (Mass. and Federal Excluded Income)

Compensation, Injury, and Sickness Benefits


Employee Fringe Benefits

Calculating Income

To find out how much tax you have to pay, first calculate your Massachusetts gross income. Gross income includes, but not limited to:

  Calculating Massachusetts gross income
  Federal gross income (Form 1, Line 10 or Form 1-NR/PY, Line 12 for part-year residents and nonresidents)
+ Income excluded from federal but included in Massachusetts
- Income included in federal but excluded from Massachusetts
- Income excluded from both federal and Massachusetts
= Massachusetts gross income

Next, calculate your Massachusetts adjusted gross income (AGI) to get your Massachusetts taxable income and find out if you qualify for No Tax Status (NTS) or Limited Income Credit (LIC).

  Calculating Massachusetts AGI
  Federal gross income (Form 1, Line 10 or Form 1-NR/PY, Line 12 for part-year residents and nonresidents)
+ Schedule B, Line 35 (interest, dividends, and short-term capital gains)
+ Schedule D, Line 19 (long-term capital gains)
- Schedule Y, Lines 1 - 10
- Schedule B adjustments
- Schedule D adjustments
= Massachusetts AGI

Your Massachusetts taxable income is your Massachusetts adjusted gross income minus the following deductions:

Key Actions   for Calculating Income

Massachusetts Gross, Adjusted Gross, and Taxable Income  MA Gross, Adjusted Gross, and Taxable Income for Nonresidents  Learn about No Tax Status and Limited Income Credit 

Deductions

Personal income tax deductions decrease your taxable income, which means you owe less taxes. Deductions are generally related to your expenses, but not always.

Deduction Where to report
Abandoned building renovation Schedule C or E
Alimony paid Schedule Y, Line 3
Allowable excess trade or business Schedule C-2
Attorney fees and court costs Schedule Y, Line 9
Certain Business Expenses of National Guard and Reserve Members Schedule Y, Line 9
Certain Business Expenses of Qualified Performing Artist Schedule Y, Line 9
Certain Business Expenses of State and Local (Free-Basis) Government Officials Schedule Y, Line 9
Claim of Right Schedule Y, Line 14
College tuition Schedule Y, Line 11
Commuter deduction Schedule Y, Line 15
Renting out personal property for profit Schedule Y, Line 9
Depreciation Schedule C or E
Gambling activities See instructions
Health Savings Account (HSA) Schedule Y, Line 8 
Human organ donation Schedule Y, Line 16
Incapacitated firefighter or police officer income exclusion Schedule Y, Line 4
Jury duty pay remittance Schedule Y, Line 9
Medical Savings Account (Archer MSA) Schedule Y, Line 6
Moving expenses Schedule Y, Line 5
Out-of-state employee contributory government pension Schedule Y, Line 13
Partnership and S corporation Schedule E
Penalty on withdrawing savings early Schedule Y, Line 2
Reforestation amortization and expenses Schedule Y, Line 9
Rent paid Form 1, Line 14
Repayment of supplemental unemployment benefits Schedule Y, Line 9
Section 179 expenses  
Self-employed health insurance Schedule Y, Line 7
Social Security (FICA) and Medicare Form 1, Line 11a and 11b, if MFJ
Federal student loan interest Schedule Y, Line 10
MA undergraduate student loan interest Schedule Y, Line 12
Trade or business expenses Schedule C or E
Income exclusion for U.S. tax treaties Schedule Y, Line 4

Key Actions   for Deductions

View personal income tax deductions 

Credits

You may also qualify for certain personal income tax credits, which can reduce the amount of tax you owe.

Credit Refundable? Carryover
Angel Investor Credit (AIC) No 3 years
Brownfields Tax Credit (BTC) No 5 years after
Certified Housing Development Tax Credit (CHDC) No 10 years after
Child and Family Tax Credit Yes None
Circuit Breaker Credit Yes None
Community Investment Tax Credit (CITC) Yes Or alternatively carryover 5 years
Conservation Land Tax Credit (CLTC) Yes None
Cranberry Bog Credit Yes 5 subsequent taxable years
Dairy Farmer Tax Credit Yes None
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Yes None
Economic Development Incentive Program Credit (EDIPC) No 10 years after (or 5 years after, depending on circumstances)
Economic Opportunity Area Credit (EOAC) No 10 years after (or 5 years after, depending on circumstances)
Employer Wellness Program Credit (EWPC) No None
Farming and Fisheries Tax Credit No 3 years
Film Incentive Tax Credit No 5 years after
Film Incentive Tax Credit (Payroll and production expense credits not used) Yes None
Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit No 5 years
Income Tax Paid to Another Jurisdiction Credit No None
Lead Paint Removal Credit No 7 years after
Life Sciences Company Credit No None
Life Sciences Company Credit - Alternative Refundable Amount Yes None
Limited Income Credit (LIC) No None
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) No None
Medical Device Credit No 5 years after
Repair or Replacement of Failed Cesspool or Septic System Credit (Title V) No 5 years after
Solar, Wind, and Energy Credit No 3 years after

Key Actions   for Credits

Business Tax Credits  View residential property tax credits 

Estimated Tax Payments

As a taxpayer, you must make estimated payments if the expected tax due on your taxable income not subject to withholding is more than a certain amount. Generally, you need to pay at least 80% of your annual income tax liability before you file your return for the year. You pay through withholding and making estimated tax payments on any income not subject to withholding. Learn more.

Refunds and Credit of Overpayments

When you pay more taxes (i.e., withholding taxes or estimated taxes) than the amount of taxes determined to be due an overpayment may be generated on your account. An overpayment may also be generated if you are entitled to a refundable credit that exceeds the amount of tax due. Additionally, when you file an amended return or an abatement application to reduce the amount of tax due, and you previously paid more than what is now shown as due, an overpayment may be generated.

An overpayment claimed on a return may be applied as a credit for your next year’s estimated tax or you may request that it be refunded to you. An overpayment may also be offset or intercepted by the Department of Revenue and applied to another liability. However, often an overpayment is refunded directly to you.

Most refunds are claimed on an original return and will be issued automatically by the Department. For e-filed returns the turnaround time is about 6 weeks; but for paper returns it could take up to 10 weeks. You must claim your refund or credit within a certain time period, as further detailed below. Also, the Department of Revenue must issue refunds within a certain time period or pay interest on the amount of the refund. This page contains important information on the time limitations for claiming a refund and on the calculation of interest.

Visit Refunds and credit of overpayments to learn more. 

Use Tax on Out of State Purchase Payments

Use tax is a 6.25% tax paid on out-of-state or out-of-country purchases that are used, stored or consumed in Massachusetts and on which no Massachusetts sales tax (or less than 6.25%) was paid.

Unlike the 6.25% sales tax, which is collected by sellers, use tax is generally paid directly to the state by the purchaser.

Individual use tax is due by April 15th of the following year after your purchase. Learn more.

Image credits:  Filing document (Shutterstock)

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