Tax Bracket for Massachusetts (2026)
Last updated: January 15, 2026
Massachusetts (MA) Key Facts
Tax Structure
Flat rate
Top Marginal Rate
5%
Number of Brackets
1
Tax Year
2,026
How This Calculator Works in Massachusetts
This calculator shows which Massachusetts tax bracket your income falls into. Enter your income and filing status to see marginal and effective rates.
Massachusetts Overview
Massachusetts uses a progressive income tax system with 1 brackets ranging from 5% to 9%. Higher portions of your income are taxed at higher rates, so your effective rate is always lower than your top marginal bracket.
How Massachusetts Compares
Massachusetts's top rate of 5% compares to New York at 10.9% and Connecticut at 6.99%. Comparing effective rates is more meaningful than top rates alone.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 10.9% | New York has an income tax rate of 10.9%. |
| Connecticut | 6.99% | Connecticut has an income tax rate of 6.99%. |
| New Hampshire | 0% | New Hampshire has an income tax rate of 0%. |
Massachusetts's income tax rate of 5% compares to a national average of approximately 5.04%. This is below the national average.
Tips for Massachusetts Residents
- 1Massachusetts has a progressive income tax with 1 brackets ranging from 5% to 9%.
- 2Your marginal rate (the rate on your last dollar) is often higher than your effective rate (total tax / total income).
- 3Moving into a higher bracket only taxes the additional income at the higher rate, not your entire income.
- 4Pre-tax 401(k) and IRA contributions can keep you in a lower Massachusetts bracket by reducing taxable income.
- 5Compare your effective rate rather than marginal rate when evaluating Massachusetts's tax impact on your finances.