Massachusetts Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your Massachusetts take-home pay after federal tax, FICA, and Massachusetts state income tax. Enter your gross pay, filing status, and pre-tax deductions to see your net pay per paycheck.
2026 rate, standard deduction, and personal exemption verified against Tax Foundation 2026 data.
- Take-home$51,078.50 · 78.58%
- Federal tax$5,620.00 · 8.65%
- Social Security + Medicare$4,972.50 · 7.65%
- Massachusetts tax$3,030.00 · 4.66%
- MA PFML$299.00 · 0.46%
| Item | Per bi-week | % of gross |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | 100% |
| Federal withholding | $216.15 | 8.65% |
| Social Security | $155.00 | 6.20% |
| Medicare | $36.25 | 1.45% |
| Massachusetts income tax | $116.54 | 4.66% |
| MA PFML | $11.50 | 0.46% |
| Take-home pay | $1,964.56 | 78.58% |
Living on a paycheck in Massachusetts
Massachusetts applies a flat 5.0% income tax to most wages, with an additional surtax on very high incomes above a million dollars. For the vast majority of workers in Boston, Worcester, and the suburbs, the flat 5.0% rate is what shapes the state line on their paycheck.
Massachusetts also runs a Paid Family and Medical Leave program funded in part by an employee premium, so most workers see a small extra deduction. The calculator above includes it in your estimate.
How Massachusetts taxes are withheld
A Massachusetts paycheck has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) withheld, plus the flat 5.0% state income tax. Massachusetts uses a per-person exemption rather than a large standard deduction.
Most workers also contribute to the state's PFML program through a small payroll premium. It is a fraction of a percent of wages but reduces take-home, so it appears in the estimate above.
What shapes your take-home in Massachusetts
With a flat 5.0% rate, your Massachusetts state tax scales evenly with income, while your federal filing status and pre-tax benefits drive the rest of net pay. As a rough illustration, a single filer earning $75,000 might owe around $3,700 in Massachusetts income tax for the year, plus the small PFML premium. Your exact figure is shown above.
Getting the most from each paycheck in Massachusetts
Pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions lower both your federal and your 5.0% Massachusetts tax. The PFML premium is largely fixed, so concentrate your planning on those pre-tax accounts and on keeping your M-4 and W-4 withholding current.
How Massachusetts taxes your paycheck
Massachusetts has a flat 5% state income tax. Use the calculator above to estimate your take-home pay after all withholdings.
Every US paycheck also has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base), and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% on high earners) withheld. Your taxable income is your gross pay minus pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) and pre-tax health premiums.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is taken out of a paycheck in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts paychecks have federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) withheld, plus a flat 5% state income tax, plus MA PFML. The exact amount depends on your pay, filing status, and pre-tax deductions.
Does Massachusetts have a state income tax?
Yes. Massachusetts levies a flat 5% state income tax in addition to federal taxes.
How is this take-home estimate calculated?
It applies 2026 estimated federal brackets, FICA rates, state income-tax rates, local taxes where configured, and employee payroll-program rates to your annual pay minus pre-tax deductions, then divides by your pay frequency. It is a simplified estimate, not official payroll withholding.