Estimate your take-home pay in Massachusetts. The state levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 9% (5% flat plus 4% surtax over 1M). This means a portion of every paycheck goes toward state income tax in addition to federal withholding, Social Security, and Medicare.
Disclaimer: All figures on this page are estimates for general informational purposes only and are not financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates, brackets, and withholding rules change and vary by locality and personal circumstances. Verify current rates with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue or the IRS, and consult a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.
Massachusetts Tax Snapshot
- State Income Tax
- 9% top rate
- Sales Tax (state + local avg)
- 6.25%
- Avg Property Tax Rate
- 1.15%
- Median Home Value
- $587,500
- State Minimum Wage
- $15.00/hr
Did You Know?
Massachusetts has a 4% surtax on income over 1 million creating a 9% top rate.
How Massachusetts's Graduated Brackets Affect Your Paycheck
When you earn a paycheck in Massachusetts, your employer withholds federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). On top of that, the state withholds income tax based on 5% flat plus 4% surtax over 1m. The state minimum wage is $15.00 per hour, which sets the floor for hourly workers. Understanding these deductions helps you budget effectively and plan for the average 1.15% property tax rate on homes valued around $587,500.
Massachusetts also levies a combined state and average local sales tax of 6.25%, which affects your overall purchasing power. Factor this into your budget when calculating how far your paycheck stretches.
How Massachusetts's Income Tax Compares Nationally
Massachusetts uses a graduated income tax — 5% flat plus 4% surtax over 1M — so higher slices of income are taxed at higher rates rather than one flat percentage.
Its 9% top rate is the 8th-highest nationally among the 42 states and jurisdictions that tax wages, above the median top rate of 5.54%.
For comparison, nearby states line up like this: Connecticut (top rate 6.99%); New Hampshire (no income tax); New York (top rate 10.9%); Rhode Island (top rate 5.99%); Vermont (top rate 8.75%).