Which tax returns can be filed through MassTaxConnect?
The following returns can be filed through MassTaxConnect:
- Abandoned Bottle Deposits
- Alcoholic Beverage Tax
- Aviation Gasoline Tax
- Boats and Recreational Vehicles Tax
- Cigarette License and Tax
- Cigar License and Tax
- Club Alcohol Excise
- Corporate Excise
- Deeds Excise - Registry
- Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Tax
- Estate Tax
- Ferry Embarkation Fee
- Fiduciary
- Financial Institution Excise
- Gasoline License and Tax
- Gasoline Fuel Refund
- Gambling Withholding
- Insurance Excise
- International Fuel Agreement (IFTA)
- Jet Fuel License and Tax
- Life Insurance Excise
- Lottery Annuity Withholding
- Marijuana Retail Taxes
- Meals Tax
- Motor Vehicle Excise
- Motor Vehicle Sales/Use
- Non-Profit Tax
- Nonresident Composite
- Non-Stamped Cigarette
- Ocean Marine Insurance Excise
- Oil Spill Fee
- Paid Family and Medical Leave
- Parking Facilities Surcharge
- Partnership
- Pass-Through Entity Withholding
- Pension Withholding
- Performer Withholding
- Personal Income Tax (See guidelines)
- Personal Use tax
- Public Utility Excise
- Room Occupancy Consolidated Tax
- Room Occupancy Tax
- Sales Tax
- Sales Tax Services
- Satellite Service Tax
- Sightseeing Tours Surcharge
- Special Fuels License and Tax
- Special Fuels Refund
- Underground Storage Tank Delivery Fee
- Urban Redevelopment Tax
- Use Tax
- Vehicular Rental Surcharge
- Withholding Tax
How will I know that my return was accepted?
If you can Submit the return without error, your return has been successfully filed. You also will be able to view your account history, which will clearly identify all the returns and payments that you filed electronically.
You will also receive a confirmation number. This number will serve as a record of filing a tax return. You should print out a copy of the confirmation for your records. A confirmation email will be sent as well.
- Be aware that you will receive a confirmation number even if you have saved a draft of the return.
- Be sure to select Submit to successfully file your return.
If I filed an amended return and I am owed money, how do I get my refund?
Personal Income tax refunds issued as a result of amended returns will be issued in the way requested through the filed amended return.
All other tax account refunds issued as a result of amended returns are sent through the United States Postal Service as paper checks.
How do I file a return?
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- From the Summary tab, locate the Account box for the tax you are filing.
- The most recent return period due will be shown on the right; select File Now if that is the period you want to file.
- For all other periods, select the Returns link in the Account box.
- Select the Period hyperlink for the period you are filing.
- Select the File or amend a return or File now hyperlink.
Note: Some restrictions apply for filing a personal income tax return on MasstaxConnect. Go to E-file and pay with MassTaxConnect to learn more.
What happens if I file/pay late?
MassTaxConnect allows you to file returns and make payments for the current period and preceding periods.
If you file and/or pay the tax after the due date, interest and penalties will be automatically calculated and assessed.
For most common tax types:
- The penalty for failure to file a tax return by the due date is 1% of the tax due per month (or a fraction of it), up to a maximum of 25%.
- The penalty for late payment is 1% of the tax due per month (or a fraction of it), up to a maximum of 25%.
For an explanation of how interest is compounded in Massachusetts on most of the common tax types, please see TIR 92-6: Statutory Changes in Calculation of Interest and Penalties.
Can I view filed returns?
Tax periods that have been filed can be Viewed directly from MassTaxConnect.
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- From the Summary tab, locate the Account panel for the return you are looking for.
- Select the Returns hyperlink.
- Select the Period hyperlink available for the return you want to view.
Personal Income Tax Returns, and certain paper returns, cannot be viewed online.
Must I file a return even if no tax was due for a given period?
For most tax types, you must file a return even if you have no tax due for a given period. This is also true if you are required to be:
- Registered or
- Licensed.
DOR takes your filing obligations seriously and will impose penalties if you don’t file, even if you have no tax to report.
Some exemptions from this requirement include seasonal businesses that are allowed by DOR to seasonally file:
- Sales
- Meals and
- Room occupancy returns and
- Out of state direct shippers of wine.
For these filing situations, taxpayers are not required to file unless reporting tax. Use tax returns are only due when reporting purchases subject to the use tax.
What happens if I do not comply with the requirement to file/pay electronically?
If you are required to file and pay electronically and choose not to, you may be subject to a penalty for each instance where you failed to file or pay in the appropriate format.
For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2005, the penalty for failure to file or pay may be up to $100 for each:
- Offending return, document or data transmission or
- Improper payment made.
For more information, see:
How do I print/save a copy of my return?
There are several ways to print a return on MassTaxConnect. Any page of a return can be printed using your Internet browser’s print function.
You can also print a copy of the complete return which is located in the account panel for which it was filed.
Please note that the return must have a status of received before it will allow you to print.
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- From the Summary tab, locate the Account panel for the return you want to view.
- Select the Returns hyperlink in the Account panel.
- Select the View or Amend hyperlink available for the period’s return you want to view.
- Select the Save a Copy of Return hyperlink in the upper right-hand corner of the return.
A PDF file of the return will download. You can save and/or print the return from the PDF.
What if I need to make a change or adjustment on a previously filed return?
MassTaxConnect allows taxpayers to make corrections to tax returns filed. Changes or adjustments in your return may result in an increase or decrease in taxes. All returns filed online can be changed or amended.
You may amend your personal income tax return with MasstaxConnect if:
- You e-filed your original return with MassTaxConnect and
- The MassTaxConnect filing program supports all the schedules you need to file.
If the MassTaxConnect filing program does not support all the schedules you need to file, you must amend your return by paper.
Note: If you are amending to decrease your tax, you need to attach supporting documentation.
To amend a return that has a status of Received:
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- From the Summary tab, locate the Account panel for the return you want to view.
- Select the View Returns hyperlink in the Account panel.
- Select the View or Amend hyperlink available for the period’s return you want to view.
- Select Amend
- Make the necessary changes.
To amend a return that has a status of Submitted:
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- From the Summary tab, locate the Account panel for the return you want to view.
- Select the View Returns hyperlink in the Account panel.
- Select the View or Amend hyperlink available for the period’s return you want to view.
- Select the Amend hyperlink in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.
- Select Amend
- Make the necessary changes.
- Select Submit.
- You can also cancel the return by selecting the Delete hyperlink.
To learn more, go to Amend a Massachusetts Individual or Business Tax Return.
How do I cancel a return?
You may cancel or delete a return that has not been processed.
To cancel or delete a return currently in the status of Draft or Submitted:
- From the Accounts section, select the Returns hyperlink.
- Select the hyperlink for the period.
- Select the hyperlink for the form you want to cancel or delete in the Period Activity section.
- Select the Delete hyperlink.
- Please note that returns that have been processed cannot be deleted. You will need to amend your return by selecting the Amend Return hyperlink.
Please note that returns that have been processed cannot be deleted. You will need to amend your return by selecting the Amend Return hyperlink.
Where can I verify that my return was deleted?
- Select the Submissions hyperlink under the More… tab.
- Select the Deleted section to see:
- All deleted submissions and
- The hyperlink that will direct you to the deleted submission.
Please note that the Deleted section will only appear if deleted submissions exist.
How do I re-file a deleted return?
- From the Summary tab, select the account hyperlink for the tax you are filing.
- Select the Returns hyperlink, then the Period hyperlink for the period.
- Select the File Now hyperlink.
Will a third party be able to amend a return for a client?
Yes. A third party may file an amended return, if they have access rights to file an original return.
If I filed an amended return and I am owed money, how do I get my refund?
Personal Income tax refunds issued as a result of amended returns will be issued in the way requested through the filed amended return.
All other tax account refunds issued as a result of amended returns are sent through the United States Postal Service as paper checks.
How is the process for paper abatements changing?
Form CA-6 has been replaced with Form ABT. With Form ABT, taxpayers can appeal:
- Penalties
- Audit assessments and
- Responsible person determinations.
Form ABT should not be used to file an amended return.
For more information, see the:
- Appeals tab and
- FAQ for appeals in MassTaxConnect.