Massachusetts paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | A 5% rate on most income, plus a 4% surtax on income over $1,107,750 (9% in total) |
|---|---|
| Deductions & credits | A personal exemption of $4,400 (single) or $8,800 (joint) |
| State payroll taxes | PFML (up to 0.46% of wages up to $184,500) |
| Local income taxes | None |
| Federal (every state) | 2026 brackets from 10% to 37%; Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 |
| Sales tax | 6.25% average combined rate — Massachusetts sales tax calculator |
How Massachusetts taxes your paycheck
A 5% rate on most income, plus a 4% surtax on income over $1,107,750 (9% in total). The calculation starts from Massachusetts gross income less exemptions, and filers get a personal exemption of $4,400 (single) or $8,800 (joint). Employers withhold it each payday using the state's withholding formula, so a pay stub can differ a little from the annual tax estimated here; any difference settles when you file your Massachusetts return.
State payroll contributions
- PFML: up to 0.46% of wages up to $184,500. Source: Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave, 2026 contribution rates.
The calculator applies these to gross pay minus Section 125 (pre-tax health) deductions. They fund benefits you can claim yourself, such as partial wage replacement during a disability or a family or medical leave.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in Massachusetts
A single filer paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), with no 401(k) or health deductions — the calculator's starting values:
| Line | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$155.00 | −$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$36.25 | −$942.50 |
| Massachusetts income tax | −$116.54 | −$3,030.00 |
| MA PFML | −$11.50 | −$299.00 |
| Take-home pay | $1,964.56 | $51,078.50 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
Massachusetts: $65,000 − $4,400 personal exemption = $60,600 taxable; the brackets give $3,030.00 (4.66% of pay).
PFML $299.00.
All taxes together take 21.4% of gross pay, leaving $51,078.50.
Take-home pay at other salaries in Massachusetts
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | MA income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,356 | $1,244.46 | $1,780 | 19.1% | $34,416 |
| $50,000 | $39,845 | $1,532.50 | $2,280 | 20.3% | $42,105 |
| $65,000 | $51,079 | $1,964.56 | $3,030 | 21.4% | $53,479 |
| $80,000 | $60,962 | $2,344.69 | $3,780 | 23.8% | $64,712 |
| $100,000 | $73,940 | $2,843.85 | $4,780 | 26.1% | $79,690 |
| $150,000 | $105,821 | $4,070.04 | $7,280 | 29.5% | $115,435 |
Standard deduction only, with no pre-tax deductions or dependents and no local tax. The total tax rate (single) includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and state payroll contributions.
Massachusetts compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), Massachusetts ranks 48 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York would leave you more each year.
Local income taxes are left out, except Maryland's county tax, which every resident pays (3.20% used here).
| State | State & county income tax | State payroll taxes | Take-home per year | vs. Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $3,030 | $299 | $51,079 | — |
| Rhode Island | $1,821 | $715 | $51,872 | +$793 |
| Connecticut | $2,875 | $325 | $51,208 | +$129 |
| New York | $2,913 | $312 | $51,183 | +$104 |
| Vermont | $1,766 | $72 | $52,570 | +$1,491 |
| New Hampshire | $0 | $0 | $54,408 | +$3,329 |
Good to know about Massachusetts paychecks
- The 4% surtax on income above $1,107,750 in 2026, approved by voters in 2022, brings the top rate to 9%.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in Massachusetts?
About $51,079 a year, or $1,964.56 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after $5,620 of federal income tax, $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare, $3,030 of Massachusetts income tax and $299 of PFML. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $53,479.
Does Massachusetts have a state income tax?
Yes. A 5% rate on most income, plus a 4% surtax on income over $1,107,750 (9% in total). On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $3,030 a year, 4.66% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in Massachusetts?
Besides federal taxes and state income tax, Massachusetts employees pay PFML (up to 0.46% of wages up to $184,500). On a $65,000 salary that comes to about $299 a year.
Do cities or counties in Massachusetts tax wages?
No. Local governments in Massachusetts do not tax employees' wages, so the state-level estimate is complete apart from your own deductions.
Is take-home pay higher in Massachusetts or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, Massachusetts ranks 48 of 51 for take-home pay at $51,079. New Hampshire ($54,408), Vermont ($52,570) and Rhode Island ($51,872) leave more.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any Massachusetts withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. Massachusetts income tax figures: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (as of Jan. 1, 2026); Massachusetts DOR 2026 surtax threshold ($1,107,750). Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.