What is MassTaxConnect?
MassTaxConnect is DOR's online application that you can use to:
- File returns for most business account types and make payments for the current or previous tax periods.
- Research, update, amend, and maintain your tax accounts with DOR at any time.
- Reduce both the time and expense involved in generating and handling paper checks and returns.
- Provide faster, easier, and more accurate results than paper processing methods.
What are the advantages for taxpayers who use MassTaxConnect?
MassTaxConnect is an accurate and secure way to interact with DOR. The advantages to using MassTaxConnect are:
- You have access to your tax information, including your return and payment history at any time.
- You can make return, bill, plus estimated tax and extension payments if applicable, and confirm that DOR has received your payment.
- You can schedule payments in advance and cancel or change scheduled payments if you need to.
- You can view and print copies of notices sent to you by DOR.
- You can send secure electronic messages rather than contacting DOR by phone.
- Many taxpayers can set up their own payment plan with terms of up to 3 years.
What are the advantages for business taxpayers who file returns through MassTaxConnect?
Many business taxpayers are required to file and pay electronically and can do both through MassTaxConnect.
Required or not, there are advantages to filing returns through MassTaxConnect:
- Original and amended returns can be filed for most business tax types.
- Errors are reduced because MassTaxConnect does all the calculations for you.
- MassTaxConnect makes sure that all required information is included on your return before it is submitted.
- You have access to your tax information, including a summary of the return filed, at any time.
- You can file your return early and schedule the payments in advance.
Can I use MassTaxConnect even if my business is not required to file electronically?
Yes. Even if your business is not required to file electronically, MassTaxConnect is an accurate and secure way to interact with DOR.
When is MassTaxConnect available to use?
MassTaxConnect is available online at any time.
Is my browser supported?
MassTaxConnect supports the following Internet browsers:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 and Higher
- Microsoft Edge
- Safari 7 and Higher
- Chrome 38 and Higher
- Firefox 27 and Higher
- Opera 10 and Higher.
What is a letter ID?
- The Letter ID is a unique number printed on all correspondence and has a letter prefix of L.
- The Letter ID is always in the upper right-hand corner of the letter.
If you contact DOR about a letter, always refer to that letter’s identifying number. Our customer service representatives can view an exact copy of the letter. This helps DOR to address your issue quickly.
How do I add an attachment in MassTaxConnect?
Adding an attachment is easy. If the action you are performing allows for an attachment, you will see:
- The Attachments sections and an Add Attachment button.
- Select Add Attachment.
- A new window will open allowing you to browse your computer for a file to attach.
The action you are performing will dictate which types of files you can upload.
DOR accepts the following file type extensions:
- .DOC
- .DOCX
- .XLS
- .XLSX
- .TXT
- .JPG
- .PNG
- .TIF
Please note that a file cannot be larger than 5 megabytes.
When will changes to my account take effect?
MassTaxConnect is available at any time. Your account is updated each night to include:
- Mailing address changes and
- The processing of returns and payments.
A payment may take several days to process.
What are submissions?
Every return, payment, or account change that you submit to DOR is referred to as a Submission.
Submissions completed while not logged into MassTaxConnect are considered:
- Unauthenticated and
- Will result in a confirmation code.
Submissions completed while logged into MassTaxConnect are considered:
- Authenticated and
- Will result in a confirmation number.
To view the status of an unauthenticated Submission:
- Access the MassTaxConnect homepage and select the Find a Submission hyperlink under the Quick Links section.
To view the status of an authenticated Submission:
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- Select the Submissions hyperlink under the More… tab
- Your most recent Submissions will be displayed in one of three columns:
- Draft
- Submitted and
- Processed.
- Select the View All button to view a complete list of submissions.
- You will be provided up to 4 categories:
- Draft
- Submitted
- Processed and
- Deleted.
- Sections will only appear if you have submissions that fall into one of the 4 categories listed directly above.
Please note that Submissions are processed at various times throughout the day:
- Some are processed immediately
- Some are processed overnight.
How will I know which data fields are required when entering information?
The information you must enter to complete a transaction will vary based on the data that needs to be captured.
A red asterisk at the edge of a field will specify information that is required. Required fields can also be identified:
- By a Required tooltip and watermark when selected and
- By a Required watermark when not selected.
What is an Account Type?
MassTaxConnect references tax types as Account Types. The Summary tab lists the tax types for which you have registered.
What is an Account ID?
Your Account ID is a randomly generated identification number that replaces your existing
- Federal Identification Number and/or
- Social Security Number
for conducting business with DOR.
By using an Account ID, DOR can:
- Process your returns and payments without delay and
- Help prevent identity fraud.
What is Go paperless!?
You may receive letters/notices from DOR electronically, by mail, or both.
To go paperless:
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- Under the More… tab in the Letters section, select the Go Paperless! hyperlink.
- Select how you want to receive letters/notices from DOR.
How do I close a specific tax type Account?
- Master Administrators can log in to MassTaxConnect.
- From the Summary tab, locate the account panel for the tax you are closing.
- Select the Close Tax Account hyperlink.
- Follow the instructions in the window that opens to close your account.
If the Close my tax account hyperlink is not available:
- You do not have security access to close the specific tax account or
- The tax account type cannot be closed on MassTaxConnect.
When responding to a notice, can I send attachments electronically?
Yes. When responding to a notice, you can send attachments electronically through MassTaxConnect.
To send an attachment:
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- Select the More… tab and select the Manage Messages hyperlink under the Messages section.
- Here you can view all the messages that you have sent and all the messages that DOR has sent you.
- To send a message, select the Send a Message hyperlink in the upper right-hand corner.
- Select the account that the message is concerning or select This message doesn’t concern a specific account.
- Next, select the message category that best fits your message. This will make sure that your message gets routed to the best team to provide you with an answer.
- Next, select the appropriate message type. Some message categories don’t have a message type.
- Enter a detailed Message.
- Select the Add Attachment button in the Attachments section.
- Browse for your file and attach it.
- Select Save.
- Select the Submit button to finalize your message.
DOR accepts most:
- Word documents
- Spreadsheets and
- Image files.
How long will you be keeping electronic records associated with an account?
There is an unlimited amount of time that transactions and requests made through MassTaxConnect will remain in MassTaxConnect.
How do I apply for a hardship consideration?
To apply for a hardship consideration:
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- Select the More… tab, then select Submit a statement for hardship consideration in the Collection Notices section.
- Follow the instructions.
If you don’t see the link, then it is likely that your debt doesn’t qualify for hardship consideration. To qualify for consideration, you must be an individual who has collectable debt.
How can I get a copy of a return I filed for Personal Income Tax?
- Log in to MassTaxConnect.
- Locate the Personal Income Tax panel and select the Returns hyperlink.
- Select the year end date for the return period you are requesting.
- Select the Request a Return Transcript hyperlink in the upper right-hand corner.
- Read the information page and select Submit to complete your request.
The return will be mailed to you.
If you would like it sent electronically, DOR recommends that you submit an e-message with your request.
Where's my refund? (Personal Income Tax ONLY)
- Go to the MassTaxConnect homepage.
- In the Quick Links section, select the Where's my refund? hyperlink.
How can I calculate my penalty and interest for Personal Income Tax?
- Go to the MassTaxConnect homepage.
- In the Additional Resources section, select the Calculate Late File and Pay Penalty hyperlink.
How can I calculate my Form M-2210 Penalty for Personal Income Tax?
- Go to the MassTaxConnect homepage.
- In the Additional Resources section, select the Calculate Estimated Tax Penalty (Form M-2210) hyperlink.
What should I do if I filed my Personal Income Tax Return but receive another W-2 or made an error?
File an amended return.
- For amended personal income tax returns for 2016 and after, fill in the Amended return bubble at the top of the form.
- For earlier tax years, simply write "Amended return" across the top of the return before submitting.
Personal income tax returns cannot be submitted through MassTaxConnect and should instead be filed through:
- Tax preparation software
- By your preparer or
- On paper.
Why did I receive a return verification request letter? What steps do I need to take?
If you received a return verification request letter from DOR it was because:
- A return has been filed in your name and
- we need to verify whether or not it was sent by you.
To verify that it was you:
- Go to the MassTaxConnect homepage.
- In the Quick Links section, select the Respond to Request for Return Verification hyperlink.
- Provide all required information so DOR can continue processing your return.
Can I file my Personal Income Tax Return on MassTaxConnect?
Full-year resident taxpayers who have previously filed a Massachusetts return are eligible to file an income tax return on MassTaxConnect for free. Please note, only certain schedules are supported on MassTaxConnect. Taxpayers who have previously used fillable forms may use this new option. Fillable forms are no longer available on mass.gov/dor.
To file your return through MassTaxConnect, please follow the guidelines.
If you are required to file a Massachusetts Nonresident or Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return (Form 1-NR/PY), or if your return requires a schedule not supported in MassTaxConnect, you may still be able to use one of the other e-file options listed above.
To learn more about your e-filing options, please see:
How do I check the status of my refund not from an original return?
If you are checking the status of a refund from:
- an amended return,
- an appeal, or
- an original return filed before December 1, 2016,
you can:
- Log in to your MassTaxConnect account and send DOR an e-message or
- Contact DOR at (617) 887-6367.
How do I request an extension of time to file my Personal Income Tax return?
Extensions with no payment
If at least 80% of the total amount of tax ultimately due for the taxable year has been paid through:
- withholding,
- timely estimated payments of tax,
- credits from your current year's return, or
- a refund from the prior tax year applied to the current year's tax liability,
you are no longer required to file an extension.
For more information, please see TIR 16-10: Simplified Extension Process for Individuals, Fiduciaries, Partnerships, and Estates.
Please note that the extension is only an extension of time to file, not an extension of time to pay. Penalties and interest will be applied even if an extension is granted but the total tax has not been paid by the original deadline.
Extensions with payment
Extensions must be filed electronically if you are making a payment of $5,000 or more with the extension.
Any extension with a payment of $5,000 or more not filed electronically is subject to a penalty of $100.
You can make an extension payment electronically through:
- MassTaxConnect or
- It can be submitted electronically by your preparer.
Electronic payment is encouraged, even if the payment is less than $5,000.