Massachusetts income tax in 2026
Massachusetts has a progressive income tax: higher slices of income are taxed at higher rates. Single filers subtract $4,400 in deductions and exemptions first ($8,800 for married couples).
| Rate | Taxable income (single) | Your tax |
|---|---|---|
| 5% | $0 – $1,107,750 | $2,780 |
| 9% | $1,107,750 and up | — |
What to know about taxes in Massachusetts
Massachusetts taxes wages at a flat 5%, plus a 4% surtax on income above about $1 million approved by voters in 2022. There is no standard deduction, only a personal exemption.
- Employees contribute to the state Paid Family and Medical Leave program.
- Boston-area housing is among the most expensive in the country.
Largest cities: Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Cambridge.
Take-home pay in Massachusetts by salary
What common salaries look like after taxes in Massachusetts for a single filer.
| Salary | Take-home / year | Per month | Bi-weekly | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $24,867 | $2,072 | $956 | 17.1% |
| $40,000 | $32,356 | $2,696 | $1,244 | 19.1% |
| $50,000 | $39,845 | $3,320 | $1,533 | 20.3% |
| $60,000 | $47,334 | $3,945 | $1,821 | 21.1% |
| $70,000 | $54,473 | $4,539 | $2,095 | 22.2% |
| $80,000 | $60,962 | $5,080 | $2,345 | 23.8% |
| $90,000 | $67,451 | $5,621 | $2,594 | 25.1% |
| $100,000 | $73,940 | $6,162 | $2,844 | 26.1% |
| $120,000 | $86,918 | $7,243 | $3,343 | 27.6% |
| $150,000 | $105,821 | $8,818 | $4,070 | 29.5% |
| $200,000 | $138,298 | $11,525 | $5,319 | 30.9% |
Where your taxes go
- Take-home pay$47,33478.9%
- Federal income tax$5,0208.4%
- Social Security$3,7206.2%
- Medicare$8701.5%
- Massachusetts income tax$2,7804.6%
- State payroll (SDI/PFML)$2760.5%
- Federal income tax ($5,020). Charged on $43,900 of taxable income after the standard deduction, with a top rate of 12% on your last dollar.
- Social Security ($3,720). 6.2% of wages up to $184,500. It funds retirement and disability benefits.
- Medicare ($870). It funds hospital insurance for people aged 65 and over, at 1.45% of your pay.
- Massachusetts income tax ($2,780). Charged on $55,600 after state deductions, marginal rate 5%.
- State payroll contributions ($276). Disability insurance or paid family leave withheld from your paycheck.
How Massachusetts compares with other states
Massachusetts ranks #48 of 51 for take-home pay on $60,000, tied with 1 other state. The gap between the best state (Florida) and the worst (Oregon) is $4,401 a year.
Top 5, your state and bottom 5. Single filer, no pre-tax contributions.
How a 401(k) changes your paycheck
Traditional 401(k) contributions come out of your paycheck before income tax, so saving for retirement costs you less than the amount you put in.
| Contribution | Saved per year | Take-home pay | Per month | Income tax saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | $0 | $47,334 | $3,945 | — |
| 3% | $1,800 | $45,840 | $3,820 | $306 |
| 6% | $3,600 | $44,346 | $3,696 | $612 |
| 10% | $6,000 | $42,354 | $3,530 | $1,020 |
| 15% | $9,000 | $39,864 | $3,322 | $1,530 |
Single vs married filing jointly
Marriage changes the math: a couple filing jointly gets twice the standard deduction and brackets twice as wide as a single filer.
| Single | Married, one income | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $5,020 | $2,840 |
| State income tax | $2,780 | $2,560 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $4,590 | $4,590 |
| Take-home pay | $47,334 | $49,734 |
Filing jointly would add $2,400 a year ($200 a month) to this household's take-home pay.
What this salary buys you
With $3,945 arriving each month, here is a realistic budget split.
- $60,000 is 59% of the median household income in Massachusetts ($101,341).
- With the 30% rule, a comfortable rent is up to $1,500 per month.
- That is 1.9 times the Massachusetts minimum wage of $15/hour.
Frequently asked questions
Does Massachusetts have a state income tax?
Yes. Massachusetts income tax rates range from 5% – 9% in 2026, depending on taxable income.
What is the income tax rate in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts income tax rates range from 5% – 9% in 2026, depending on taxable income.
How much is $60,000 after tax in Massachusetts?
A single filer earning $60,000 takes home about $47,334 a year, or $3,945 per month.
What is the minimum wage in Massachusetts?
The minimum wage in Massachusetts is about $15 per hour.
How is my Massachusetts paycheck calculated?
We subtract federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%) and Massachusetts income tax, plus state payroll contributions, from your gross pay.
Figures use 2026 IRS federal brackets, the standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare rates, and each state's income tax rules for a W-2 employee. Read our methodology. Last updated September 25, 2026. Estimates for information only, not tax advice.