Massachusetts Department of Revenue Tax Guides

This guide has information about corporate excise tax, from calculating the tax, to credits and deductions, to apportioning income. After getting your Part A, Part B, and Part C income, adjust each category of income to calculate Part B, Part A and Part C adjusted gross income, and finally calculate Part B, Part A and Part C taxable income. Your deductions play a key part in filing your taxes, and while some people find it easier to not file their deductions and “just pay the extra tax”, it makes a difference in the long run. For example, if you are running a small business, there are many simple things that you are able to have tax deducted from. Perhaps office supplies, repairs on your office computers, building repairs, or even purchasing your workers’ suitable clothing for their job (e.g. a plumber should be wearing a boiler suit). While they are little things that not many people think about, your business thrives on these tiny details and therefore you are able to have tax deductions on them.

  • As the senior tax editor at Kiplinger.com, Kelley R. Taylor simplifies federal and state tax information, news, and developments to help empower readers.
  • If you’re a nonresident with an annual gross income of more than either $8,000 or the prorated personal exemption (whichever is less), you’re required to file taxes in Massachusetts.
  • However, the amount of any scholarships, grants, or financial aid that the student receives needs to be subtracted from the total tuition.
  • 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.
  • Massachusetts offers tax deductions and credits to reduce your tax liability, including a rent and commuter deduction, as well as tax credits for income tax paid to another jurisdiction.

Likewise, if your rent is paid by a third party, such as a parent, you aren’t eligible for this deduction. The state of Massachusetts has a personal income flat tax rate of 5% for everyone who made over $8,000 in 2021, regardless of their filing or residency status. The TCJA did not impact Massachusetts laws regarding exemptions. To accurately determine the massachusetts income tax correct amount of Massachusetts withholding, employers will rely on Massachusetts Form M-4. If you did not receive unemployment benefits during 2022, but you did receive a Form 1099-G reporting unemployment benefits, someone may have used your identity to falsely claim unemployment benefits. EITC is a benefit for working people with low or moderate incomes.

Key Organizations for Reporting and Recording Employee Wage & Withholding

Next, check what income you included in your Massachusetts gross income that you’re supposed to deduct on the appropriate Schedule, and then deduct the income. As the senior tax editor at Kiplinger.com, Kelley R. Taylor simplifies federal and state tax information, news, and developments to help empower readers. Kelley has over two decades of experience advising on and covering education, law, finance, and tax as a corporate attorney and business journalist.

However, the amount of any scholarships, grants, or financial aid that the student receives needs to be subtracted from the total tuition. 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.

Lead Paint Removal Tax Credit

Massachusetts charges an estate tax on estates worth over $1,000,000. However, Massachusetts doesn’t charge an inheritance tax on estates after Dec. 31, 1975. Generally, Massachusetts taxes capital gains as ordinary income. If a portion of your expenses was reimbursed by your employer, the total amount paid must be reduced by the reimbursement amount. If your principal residence is in Massachusetts and you paid rent to a landlord in the past year, you can deduct 50% of the rent paid, up to $3,000 (up to $1,500 for married filing separate filers).

  • If your principal residence is in Massachusetts and you paid rent to a landlord in the past year, you can deduct 50% of the rent paid, up to $3,000 (up to $1,500 for married filing separate filers).
  • If the taxpayer is filing as head of household and/or either the taxpayer or their spouse is blind, reduce the withholding amount according to the ‘Additional withholding reductions’ table below.
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  • Personal income tax exemptions directly reduce how much tax you owe.

Individuals and businesses can make estimated tax payments electronically through MassTaxConnect. If you earned less than $8,000 during the 2021 tax year, you don’t have to file a Massachusetts tax return. However, you may choose to do so if you want to claim certain tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. The state of Massachusetts requires you to pay taxes if you’re a resident or nonresident that receives income from a Massachusetts source.

Guide to the Department of Revenue: Your Taxpayer Bill of Rights

The TCJA made significant changes to tax rates, deductions, tax credits and withholding calculations, and changed the value of personal exemptions to zero. Massachusetts has a flat personal income tax rate of 5% of federal adjusted gross income. Beginning in 2023, an additional 4% tax is imposed on income over $1 million. Property taxes in Massachusetts are relatively high and the commonwealth has an estate tax as well.

what is massachusetts income tax