How Massachusetts Paychecks Are Taxed in 2026
Massachusetts taxes wages at a flat 5%, plus an extra 4% surtax on income above $1,083,150. It uses a personal exemption of $4,400 instead of a standard deduction. Employees also pay into the state's paid family and medical leave program. Massachusetts also taxes traditional 401(k) contributions, so they don't lower your state taxable wages.
For 2026, Massachusetts has state income tax rates from 5% to 9%. Before the rates apply, Massachusetts allows a personal exemption of $4,400 per filer.
Your pay stub may also show Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave. Its rate is reset every year, so check the current figure with the state. Massachusetts taxes traditional 401(k) contributions, so they lower federal taxable wages but not state taxable wages.
As a reference point, a single filer in Massachusetts earning $60,000 with no pre-tax deductions keeps about $47,610 a year, or roughly $1,831.15 per bi-weekly paycheck. Enter your own pay above to see your numbers.
Massachusetts Paycheck Taxes at a Glance
Massachusetts Income Tax Brackets for 2026
Massachusetts uses 2 brackets from 5% to 9%. Each rate applies only to the part of your taxable income inside that bracket.
All filers (taxable income)
Before these rates apply, Massachusetts subtracts a $4,400 personal exemption. Head of household and married filing separately use the single schedule in our calculator unless the state sets its own.
Unlike most states, Massachusetts taxes traditional 401(k) contributions, so they lower your federal taxable wages but not your state taxable wages.
Federal and Massachusetts Payroll Taxes
Payroll taxes are separate from income tax and work the same in every state: Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 in 2026, and Medicare is 1.45% of all wages, with an extra 0.9% withheld on wages over $200,000.
| State program | In the calculator |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave | Not included yet The rate is reset each year; check your pay stub or the state agency. |
Take-Home Pay by Salary in Massachusetts
Yearly estimates with the standard deduction, no pre-tax deductions and no local tax. Married figures assume one earner filing jointly.
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | Massachusetts tax | Take-home, single | Take-home, married |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,420 | $2,295 | $1,280 | $25,005 | $26,645 |
| $45,000 | $3,220 | $3,443 | $2,030 | $36,308 | $38,468 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $2,780 | $47,610 | $50,010 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $3,530 | $58,063 | $61,313 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $4,780 | $74,400 | $80,150 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $7,280 | $106,511 | $116,125 |
| $200,000 | $36,734 | $14,339 | $9,780 | $139,147 | $149,761 |
A $60,000 Paycheck in Massachusetts, Line by Line
Single filer, paid bi-weekly (26 paychecks), standard withholding, no pre-tax deductions.
Over a year that's $47,610 take-home, with a total tax rate of 20.7%. Massachusetts income tax is 4.63% of gross pay.
Massachusetts vs. Nearby States
Yearly take-home on a $60,000 salary, single filer, no pre-tax deductions or local tax.
Massachusetts Paycheck FAQs
What is the Massachusetts state income tax rate in 2026?
Massachusetts rates for 2026 range from 5% to 9%, depending on taxable income and filing status.
How much is $60,000 a year after taxes in Massachusetts?
A single filer earning $60,000 in Massachusetts takes home about $47,610 a year, or $1,831.15 per bi-weekly paycheck, with standard withholding and no pre-tax deductions.
Do I pay local income tax in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts does not have general city or county income taxes on wages.
Does Massachusetts withhold any state payroll taxes?
Yes. Massachusetts paychecks can include Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave, in addition to federal Social Security and Medicare.
Does filing status change my Massachusetts tax?
Yes. Massachusetts gives married couples filing jointly different brackets, deductions or exemptions than single filers, and filing status also changes your federal withholding.
Will my paycheck match this calculator exactly?
It should be close. The calculator estimates your yearly taxes and spreads them across your paychecks. Your employer uses your W-4, any state withholding form, your benefit elections and its payroll system, so your stub can differ by a few dollars.