The Kiplinger Tax Map: Guide to State Income Taxes, State Sales Taxes, Gas Taxes, Sin Taxes
Tool | Updated October 2019

State-by-State Guide to Taxes

Compare state tax rates and rules — on income, ordinary purchases, gas, sin products, property, and more — across the U.S.

Go to the Kiplinger Tax Map

Massachusetts

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The Bottom Line
Flag of Massachusetts

Not Tax Friendly

The Bay State gets dubbed “Taxachusetts” sometimes, but that’s not entirely fair, especially when you stack it up against its New England neighbors (except New Hampshire). Taxes in Massachusetts are decidedly average, with a flat 5.1% income tax and a flat 6.25% sales tax (municipalities can’t add to it). Property taxes lean a bit high. The state is one of the few to still have an estate tax, and the exemption threshold ($1 million) is low.

Sales Tax

6.25% state levy. No local taxes. Most clothing and footwear priced at under $175 per item are exempt.

Income Tax Range

Massachusetts has a flat rate of 5.1% of federal adjusted gross income.

Effective tax rate: 5.1% for single filers, 5.1% for joint filers

Motor Fuel Taxes

Gasoline: $0.2654 per gallon.
Diesel: $0.2654 per gallon.

Property Taxes

In Massachusetts, residents pay an average of $1,294 in taxes per $100,000 of assessed home value.

Vehicle Taxes

Sales tax is due. Massachusetts levies an annual excise tax on vehicles. The rate is $25 per $1,000 of assessed value, and the value is set by taking the car’s sticker price (MSRP) and discounting it based on the age of the vehicle. Example: A three-year-old car that sold for $30,000 would have a tax bill of $300.

Sin Taxes

Cigarettes and little cigars: $3.51 per pack
Snuff: 210% of the wholesale price
Chewing tobacco: 210% of the wholesale price
Other tobacco products: 40% of the wholesale price
Vapor products: 75% of the wholesale price

Beer: $0.11 per gallon
Wine: $0.55 per gallon
Liquor: $4.05 per gallon

Marijuana: 10.75% state tax; localities can add 3%

Taxes On Wireless Service

8.84%

Inheritance and Estate Taxes

Estates valued at more than $1 million are subject to estate tax. Tax rates range from 0.8% to 16%. There is an unlimited marital deduction for property left to a surviving spouse and an unlimited charitable deduction for property left to a qualified charity.

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