×
tax forms found in
Tax Form Code
Tax Form Name

Massachusetts Free Printable  for 2024 Massachusetts Individual Income Tax Instructions

There are only 29 days left until tax day on April 16th! eFile your return online here , or request a six-month extension here .

It appears you don't have a PDF plugin for this browser. Please use the link below to download 2023-massachusetts-form-1-instructions.pdf, and you can print it directly from your computer.

Individual Income Tax Instructions
Form 1 Instructions

Department of Revenue Commonwealth of Massachusetts Form 1 2023 Massachusetts Resident Income Tax e l i F e / v o g . s s a M Before using paper, consider Fast — Filing electronically, rather than on paper, can mean much faster processing of your refund and money in your account sooner. Accurate — Generally, there are fewer errors with electronic filings than paper forms. Online programs make it easy to ensure that you don’t miss anything important. Ecofriendly — A great majority of Massachusetts taxpayers file electronically. Help us to continue reducing our carbon footprint. Affordable — Many Mass­achusetts taxpayers qualify to use commercial tax preparation software at no charge. Check out the free filing option through MassTaxConnect. Give e-file a try this year! C’mon, admit it — filing ­paper tax returns is no fun! So forget about longer refund wait times and calculation ­mistakes. E-file this year! There are three easy and convenient ways to do it. 1 2 3 File Electronically for Free Many Massachusetts taxpayers qualify to file both federal and state returns for free, en­hanc­ing fraud protection and cutting down on identity theft. Massachusetts joined the Free File Alliance, a nonprofit partnership between tax preparation companies, the IRS and the states to increase opportunities for taxpayers to e-file their tax returns for free. Check out the free filing options available to taxpayers at mass.gov/efile. You may also be able to file your tax return online through DOR's MassTaxConnect. You qualify for this option if you were a Massachusetts resident for the entire 2023 tax year, previously filed a Massachusetts return, and the forms you file are supported by the program. Commercial Tax Preparation Software You can also e-file using commercial tax filing products. Visit our website for a complete listing of approved products. Although some of these products offer a paper filing op­tion, you may only use that option if it incorporates a 2D barcode in the right-hand corner of all pages. If you have a  2D printing issue, be sure to contact the software manufacturer for instructions before filing to avoid having your return rejected. Also, be sure to use the correct 2D barcode mailing address: PO Box 7000 for refunds/no payments or PO Box 7003 for payments. See DOR’s online tax form instructions for more in­formation. Tax Preparers The majority of paid tax preparers recognize that their clients don’t want mistakes, delays, or longer refund times so they offer e-filing for their customers. Moreover, Massachusetts law requires any preparer who completes more than 10 Massachusetts income tax returns to e-file (TIR 11-13 has a specific taxpayer opt-out provision to this law). Preparers who do file paper returns for their clients have specific requirements they must meet to avoid paying penalties and fines. You’ll find a list of preparers on the DOR website. You may qualify for assistance with preparing your tax returns. Check out options at mass.gov/taxassistance. mass.gov/efile New! Fillable PDFs A popular filing option among taxpayers over the years is the option to file using fillable PDFs. This year, Massachusetts will be bringing that option to you. With fillable PDFs, you can directly enter your tax information and upon completion, print and send it to DOR. For more information, see mass.gov/dor/incomeforms. 2023 Form 1 Instructions Major 2023 Tax Changes For more up-to-date and detailed information and to view all of the public written statements referenced in these instructions, visit mass.gov/dor. Filing Due Dates Form 1 is due on or before April 17, 2024. April 15, 2024, when returns and payments would nor­ mally be due, is Pa­triots' Day, a legal holiday in the Commonwealth, and April 16, 2024 is Emancipation Day, a legal holiday in Washington, D.C. As a result, returns, payments made with returns, and estimated payments otherwise due on April 15, 2024, will be treated as timely if they are filed and/or paid on or before April 17, 2024. 2023 Personal Income Tax Rates The tax rate on most classes of tax­able income is 5%. The tax rate on long-term gains from the sale or exchange of collectibles is 12% (subject to a 50% deduction). For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, the tax rate on shortterm gains from the sale or exchange of capital assets is 8.5%. 4% Surtax on Taxable Income Over $1 Million For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, MGL ch 62 taxpayers must pay an additional 4% (“4% surtax”) on taxable income over a certain threshold. In 2023, this threshold is $1,000,000. The threshold is subject to an annual inflation adjustment. See Technical Information Release (TIR) 23-12 and the 4% Surtax FAQ for more information. Penalty for Failure to Obtain Health Insurance Massachusetts requires most adults 18 and over with access to affordable health insurance to obtain it. In 2023, individuals must be enrolled in health insurance policies that meet minimum creditable coverage standards defined in regulations adopted by the Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority (Health Connector). Individuals who are deemed able to afford health insurance but fail to obtain it are generally subject to penalties in Massachusetts for each month of noncompliance in the tax year. The monthly penalties for 2023, which will be imposed through the individual’s personal income tax return, are set out in TIR 22-17 and are based on the monthly insurance premium for which an individual would have qualified through the Health Connector. 3 Annual Update of Circuit Breaker Tax Credit Taxpayers aged 65 or older who own or rent residential property located in Massachusetts are allowed a credit equal to the amount by which their total real estate tax payments, or 25% of their rent in the case of a renter, exceeds 10% of the taxpayer’s total income. The credit cannot exceed a certain maximum amount that is determined by multiplying a statutory base amount by a cost-ofliving adjustment for the calendar year in which the taxable year begins. Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, the statutory base amount has been doubled, resulting in an increase of the maximum credit to $2,590. The amount of the credit is subject to limitations based on the taxpayer’s total income and the assessed value of the real estate, which for tax year 2023 must not exceed $1,025,000. For purposes of calculating the credit, total income and maximum credit thresholds are adjusted annually for inflation. For tax year 2023, an eligible taxpayer’s total income cannot exceed $69,000 in the case of a single filer who is not a head of household filer; $86,000 in the case of a head of household filer; and $103,000 in the case of a joint filer. To qualify for the credit, a taxpayer must be age 65 or older and must occupy the property as his or her principal residence. Employer-Provided Parking, Transit Pass, and Commuter Highway Vehicle Benefits Exclusion Amounts Massachusetts conforms to Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) § 132(f) as amended and in effect on January 1, 2022. IRC § 132(f) excludes from an employee’s gross income (subject to a monthly maximum adjusted annually for inflation) employer-provided parking, transit pass, and commuter highway vehicle transportation benefits. The IRS has determined the 2023 monthly exclusion amounts to be $300 for employer-provided parking and $300 for combined transit pass and commuter highway vehicle transportation benefits. See TIR 22-15 for more information. Reinstatement of the Personal Income Tax Deduction for Charitable Contributions For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, a deduction for charitable contributions is available for MGL ch 62 taxpayers. This deduction had been suspended since the 2002 tax year. See Schedule Y instructions for more details. Increase to the Rental Deduction The rental deduction is equal to half of the rent paid for a principal residence located in Massachusetts in a taxable year. The rental deduction cannot exceed a maximum amount. For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, the maximum amount of the rental deduction is $4,000 ($2,000 if married filing a separate return). Previously, the maximum amount of the rental deduction was $3,000 ($1,500 if married filing a separate return). Expansion of the Commuter Deduction For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, the commuter deduction has been expanded to include expenses incurred for all Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (“MBTA”) fares, Massachusetts regional transit authority fares, fares for any commuter boat owned, operated, or contracted by a municipality, public or quasi-public entity, agency, or authority, bikeshare memberships, and the cost of bicycles purchased for commuting (including electric bicycles and bicycle improvements, repairs, and storage). Previously, the deduction was available only for tolls paid for through a Fast Lane account or for weekly or monthly MBTA transit commuter passes for transit, bus, commuter rail, or commuter boat. Deduction for employer-provided student loan payment assistance For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, employees may deduct the amount of employer-provided “student loan payment assistance” received during the taxable year that has not already been excluded from their gross income under IRC § 127. Employer-provided “student loan payment assistance” is an employer’s payment of an employee’s principal or interest on a qualified education loan, as defined in IRC § 221. Up to $5,250 of these employer payments made in a calendar year beginning before January 1, 2026 are excluded from federal and, therefore, Massachusetts gross income. See TIR 23-5 for more information. As a result, if an employer made payments on an employee’s principal or interest on a qualified education loan during the taxable year, the employee may deduct the amount of such “student loan payment assistance” that exceeds $5,250. Employees may not claim any other deduction, such as for student loan interest, for employer-provided “student loan payment assistance.” Wind Power Incentive Jobs Credit For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, and until tax years ending on or before December 31, 2032, a business subject to tax under MGL ch 62 may, to the extent authorized by the offshore wind tax incentive program established in MGL ch 23J, § 8A(d), be allowed a refundable credit in an amount determined by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, in consultation with the Department of Revenue. 2023 Form 1 Instructions A business taking this credit must commit to the creation of a minimum of 50 net new permanent full-time employees in Massachusetts. See TIR 23-6 and MGL ch 62, § 6(bb) for additional information. Wind Power Incentive Investment Credit For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, and until tax years ending on or before December 31, 2032, a business subject to tax under MGL ch 62 may, to the extent authorized by the offshore wind tax incentive program established in MGL ch 23J, § 8A(d), be allowed a refundable credit in an amount, as determined by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center, of up to 50 percent of its total capital investment in an offshore wind facility. See TIR 23-6 and MGL ch 62, § 6(cc) for additional information. National Guard Hiring Tax Credit For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, a business subject to tax under MGL ch 62 that employs not more than 100 employees may be allowed a credit equal to $2,000 for each member of the Massachusetts National Guard hired by the business after July 1, 2022. See TIR 23-6 and MGL ch 62, § 6(aa)for additional information. Disability Hire Tax Credit For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, businesses subject to tax under MGL ch 62 that hire employees after July 1, 2021 with a disability who live and work in Massachusetts may be eligible for a credit. The credit is equal to the lesser of $5,000 or 30% of the wages paid to a qualified employee in the first year of employment, and the lesser of $2,000 or 30% of the wages paid to a qualified employee in each subsequent year of employment. For additional information, see 830 CMR 63.38JJ.1: Disability Employment Tax Credit. Child and Family Tax Credit Starting with tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, individuals subject to tax under MGL ch 62 may claim a refundable, non-transferable child and family tax credit (“CFTC”) if they maintain a household as provided under IRC § 21. The household must include an individual who is (1) under the age of 13 and who qualifies for exemption as a dependent under IRC § 151; (2) a qualifying individual pursuant to IRC § 21, which includes a dependent, as defined in IRC § 152, or the taxpayer’s spouse, who is physically or mentally incapable of taking care of himself or herself and principally lives with the taxpayer; or (3) a dependent under IRC § 152 who is age 65 or over or disabled. For the tax year beginning on or after January 1, 2023, the amount of the CFTC is equal to $310 for each such individual. The CFTC will be increased to $440 for each such individual be- 4 ginning with tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2024. The CFTC replaces the Dependent Care Tax Credit and the Household Dependent Tax Credit, which were repealed for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023. Increase in the Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, the amount of the Massachusetts earned income tax credit an individual may claim is 40% of the computed federal credit. The credit cannot be claimed by married taxpayers that file separate Massachusetts personal income tax returns. With respect to a taxpayer who is a non-resident for part of the taxable year, the credit must be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the taxable year the taxpayer resided in the Commonwealth and the denominator of which is the total number of days in the taxable year. A taxpayer who is a non-resident for the entire taxable year cannot claim the credit. Increase to the Lead Paint Tax Credit Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, the maximum amount of the Lead Paint Tax Credit has been increased from $1,500 for each residential unit in which lead paint was deleaded to $3,000. In addition, the maximum amount of the credit for residential units in which lead paint was partially covered or removed has been increased from $500 to $1,000. Increase to the Septic Credit Effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, the maximum amount of the Septic Credit taxpayers may claim per taxable year has been increased from $1,500 to $4,000. Excess amounts may be claimed in the subsequent five tax years. The maximum total credit amount that can be claimed with respect to a particular project is increased from $6,000 to $18,000. In addition, the percentage of allowable septic system expenditures used to calculate the credit increased from 40% to 60%. If you claimed a Septic Credit before January 1, 2023, and will claim excess amounts in the 2023 and later tax years, the amount of the credit continues to be governed by the prior limitations: the maximum annual credit amount is $1,500; the maximum total credit amount is $6,000; and the percentage of allowable septic system expenditures used to calculate the credit is 40%. Extension of Brownfields Tax Credit The brownfields tax credit, previously scheduled to expire on August 5, 2023, has been extended for five additional years. To qualify for a brownfields tax credit, a taxpayer must commence the environmental response action on or before August 5, 2028, and incur net response and removal costs before January 1, 2029. See TIR 23-12 for more information. Conformity to the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) As a general rule, Massachusetts does not conform to any personal income tax law changes to the IRC made after January 1, 2022. See TIR 23-5 for more information. However, certain specific Massachusetts personal income tax provisions, as set forth in MGL ch 62, § 1(c), automatically conform to the IRC currently in effect. The provisions of the IRC that Massachusetts conforms to on a current basis include those provisions relating to: ◗ Roth IRAs; ◗ IRAs; ◗ The exclusion for gain on the sale of a principal residence; ◗ Trade or business expenses; ◗ Travel expenses; ◗ Meals and entertainment expenses; ◗ The maximum deferral amount of government employees’ deferred compensation plans; ◗ The deduction for health insurance costs of self-employed taxpayers; ◗ Medical and dental expenses; ◗ Annuities; ◗ Health savings accounts; ◗ Employer-provided health insurance coverage; ◗ Amounts received by an employee under a health and accident plan; and ◗ Contributions to qualified tuition programs. Privacy Act Notice Under the authority of 42 USC § 405(c)(2)(C)(i), and MGL ch 62C, § 5, DOR has the right to require an individual to furnish his or her Social Security number on a state tax return. This information is mandatory. DOR uses Social Security numbers for taxpayer identification to assist in processing and keeping track of returns and in determining and collecting the proper amount of tax due. Under MGL ch 62C, § 40, the taxpayer’s identifying number is required to process a refund of overpaid taxes. Although tax return information is generally confidential pursuant to MGL ch 62C, § 21, DOR may disclose return information to other taxing authorities and those entities specified in MGL ch 62C, §§ 21, 22 or 23, and as otherwise authorized by law. 2023 Form 1 Instructions Filing Your Massachusetts Return If you were a resident of Massachusetts and your gross income was more than $8,000 — whether received from sources inside or outside of Massachusetts — you are required to file a Massachusetts income tax return. If your gross income was $8,000 or less, you do not need to file a return. If you did not live in Massachusetts but received Massachusetts source income in excess of your personal exemption amount multiplied by the ratio of your Massachusetts income to your total income, you must file as a nonresident on the Nonresident/Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return, Form 1-NR/PY. If, during the taxable year, you either moved to Massachusetts or terminated your status as a Massachusetts resident to establish residency outside the state, and your gross income was more than $8,000 — whether received from sources inside or outside of Massachusetts — you must file as a part-year resident on the Form 1-NR/PY. What Is Gross Income? Massachusetts gross income includes the following: ◗ All wages, salaries, tips, bonuses, fees and other compensation; ◗ Taxable pensions and annuities; ◗ Pension income from another state or political subdivision before any deduction; ◗ Taxable IRA/Keogh and Roth IRA distributions; ◗ Taxable alimony, see Schedule X instructions; ◗ Income from a business, trade, profession, partnership, S corporation, trust or estate; ◗ Rental, royalty and REMIC income; ◗ Unemployment compensation; ◗  Taxable interest and dividends; ◗ Gambling winnings; ◗ Capital gains; ◗ Forgiveness of debt; ◗ Mortgage forgiveness; ◗ Taxable portion of scholarships and fellow­ships; and ◗ Any other income not specifically exempt. Massachusetts gross income also in­cludes the following, which are not subject to U.S. income tax: 5 ◗ Interest from obligations of states and their political subdivisions, other than Massachusetts and its political subdivisions; and ◗ Income earned by a resident from foreign employment. Massachusetts gross income does not include: ◗ Interest on obligations of the U.S. and U.S. territories; ◗ Pension income received from a contributory annuity, pension, endowment or retirement fund of the U.S. government or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its political subdivisions. ◗ Amounts received as U.S. Social Security, public welfare assistance, Veterans Administration disability payments, G.I. Bill education payments, certain worker’s compensation, gifts, accident or life insurance payments, or certain payments received by Holocaust survivors; and ◗ Compensation earned by members of the armed forces for service in a combat zone (excluded to the same extent as under federal law). Am I a Resident, Nonresident, or Part‑Year Resident? There are four different categories of resident status under Massachusetts tax law: ◗ You are a full-year resident if your residence (domicile) is in Massachusetts or if you maintain a permanent place of abode in Massachusetts and during the year spend more than 183 days, in the aggregate, in the state. If you fit this description you should file a Massachusetts Resident Income Tax Return, Form 1. (residence) elsewhere (refer to military guidelines), and if your gross income is more than $8,000, you are required to file a Massachusetts resident income tax return. This applies even though you may be stationed outside of Massachusetts. The words residence and domicile are used to denote the place where you have your permanent home and to which, whenever you are absent, you have the intention of returning. Nonresident military personnel stationed in Massachusetts may be subject to Massachusetts taxes and should file Form 1-NR/PY if they earn income from outside military sources. Military Spouses. The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (P.L. 111‑97) prohibits a service-member’s spouse from either losing or acquiring a residence or domicile for purposes of taxation because of being absent or present in any U.S. tax jurisdiction solely to be with the servicemember in compliance with the servicemember’s military orders. In general, for Massachusetts tax purposes, the law affects only servicemembers and their spouses who are domiciled in a state other than Massachusetts. As of January 5, 2023, the Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act (P.L. 117–333) allows a servicemember and the spouse of such servicemember to choose as their residence or domicile for each taxable year of the marriage, regardless of the date of the marriage, from any of the following: (a) the residence or domicile of the servicemember; (b) the residence or domicile of the spouse; or (c) the permanent duty station of the servicemember. ◗ You are a nonresident if you were not a resident of Massachusetts but received Massachusetts income (e.g., from a job in Massachusetts). You must report such income by filing a Massachusetts Form 1-NR/PY. What Are the Rules for Filing a Joint Return? ◗ You are a part-year resident if you either moved into or moved out of Massachusetts during the taxable year. In this case, you must reduce certain income, deductions and exemptions based on the number of days you were a resident or on the amount of your income that is subject to Massachusetts tax. Part-year residents must file a Massachusetts Form 1-NR/PY. If your spouse died during 2023, you may still choose to file a joint return. ◗ You are both a nonresident and part-year resident if you meet the criteria above for both the part-year resident and nonresident categories. If filing as a nonresident and part-year resident, the Schedule R/NR must be completed. ◗ A credit of $310 for a Child and Family Tax Credit for a dependent member of household under age 13, a dependent who is over age 65 or disabled or the taxpayer’s spouse, who is physically or mentally incapable of taking care of himself or herself; Are Military Personnel Required to File? ◗ No Tax Status if joint Massachusetts AGI was $16,400 or less plus $1,000 for each dependent; If you enlisted in the service as a Massachusetts resident and have not established a new domicile A joint Form 1 is not allowed unless both spouses were Massachusetts residents for the same portion of 2023. If you are legally married, you have the option of filing either a joint return or a married filing separate return. Married taxpayers who file a joint return are allowed to claim the following exemptions, deductions and credits which married taxpayers filing separate returns may not claim: 2023 Form 1 Instructions ◗ Limited Income Credit if joint Massachusetts AGI is between $16,400 and $28,700 plus $1,750 for each dependent; ◗ Excess unused exemptions against interest income (other than interest from Massachusetts banks), dividends or capital gain income; and ◗ A senior circuit breaker tax credit allows senior citizens meeting certain eligibility criteria to claim a refundable credit on their state income taxes for the real estate taxes paid on the Massachusetts residential property they own or rent, and which they occupy as their principal residence. The credit is the amount by which the real estate tax payment or 25% of the rent constituting real estate tax payments exceeds 10% of their total income, but not more than $2,590. The credit is refundable to the extent the credit exceeds the taxpayer’s tax liability. How Do I File a Decedent’s Return? A final income tax return must be filed for a taxpayer who died during the taxable year. This return should include income received until date of death. It must be signed and filed by his/her personal representative, administrator or surviving spouse for the portion of the year before the taxpayer’s death. Be sure to fill in oval 1 if the taxpayer who was listed first on last year’s income tax return is deceased, or oval 2 if the taxpayer who was listed second on last year’s income tax return is deceased. Also, enclose Form M-1310, Statement of Claimant to Refund Due on Behalf of Deceased Taxpayer, with the refund claimant’s name and Social Security number clearly printed. A joint return may be filed by a surviving spouse. In the case of the death of both spouses, a final return must be filed by their legal representative. Any income of $100 or more received for the decedent for the taxable year after the decedent’s death, and for succeeding taxable years until the estate is completed, must be reported each year on Massachusetts Form 2, Massachusetts Fiduciary Income Tax Return. Form 2 is available online at mass.gov/dor. If the decedent’s return shows a refund due, and if the Probate Court has not appointed a legal representative and none is contemplated, a Massachusetts Form M-1310 must be enclosed with the return so the refund check may be made payable to the proper person. 6 Should I Make Estimated Tax Payments in 2024? Every resident or nonresident who expects to pay more than $400 in Massachusetts income tax on income which is not covered by Massachusetts withholding must pay Massachusetts estimated taxes. Estimated tax payments can be made online by using MassTaxConnect at www.mass.gov/ masstaxconnect or by filing Massachusetts Form 1-ES. See line 40 instructions and TIR 04-25 for more information. and if you receive permission from the Commissioner of Revenue. If you file on a fiscal year basis, you must file on or before the fifteenth day of the fourth month after the end of your fiscal year. Taxpayers filing on a fiscal year basis must complete and file Form 13, Notice of Designation of Fiscal Year, available at mass.gov/dor or by calling (617) 887-6367 or toll-free in Massachusetts (800) 392-6089. Fiscal Year Filers When to File Your Return Your 2023 Massachusetts Form 1 is due on or before April 17, 2024. See "Filing Due Dates" above. Fiscal year filers should file using the tax form for the calendar year within which the short year falls. If the short year spans more than one calendar year, the filer should file using the tax form for the calendar year in which the short year began. If the current form is not available at the time the short year filer must file, the filer should follow the rules explained in TIR 11-12. Automatic Extensions What If I am Unable to Pay? All taxpayers filing personal income tax returns are automatically granted a six-month extension of time to file their tax return as long as at least 80% of the total amount of tax ultimately due on or before the due date prescribed for payment of the tax has been paid. See TIR 16-10. Also, if you are making a payment of $5,000 or more, you are required to submit your extension payment electronically. Failure to do so will result in a penalty. If you are making a payment of less than $5,000, you also have the option of filing your extension electronically. You do not need to file an extension if no payment is due. If there is a tax due with your extension, payment can be made through Electronic Funds Withdrawal. Form 1 Extension Worksheet 1. Enter amount from Form 1, line 32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. Enter the total of Form 1, lines 38 through 40 and 43 through 47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Amount due. Subtract line 2 from line 1, not less than 0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Note: Your extension will not be valid if you fail to pay 80% of your total tax liability through withholding, estimated tax payments or with your extension. Must I File on a Calendar Year Basis? No. You may file on a fiscal year basis if you keep your books and records on that fiscal year basis If you are unable to pay the full amount of tax that you owe, you should pay as much of your tax liability as possible with this return. You will receive a bill from DOR for the remaining amount of tax due plus accrued interest and penalty charges. If the amount of that bill is less than $10,000 and you still cannot pay it in full, you must apply formally to DOR for a small payment agreement in order to avoid collection activity. You can apply for a small payment agreement by visiting Mass­ TaxConnect at mass.gov/masstaxconnect. Note: Do not mail your request for a payment agreement with your tax return. Requests can be made once a bill is issued through DOR’s Mass­TaxConnect application at mass.gov/dor or by calling DOR at (617) 887-6367. Setting up a small payment agreement will allow you to make monthly payments within a set time period to satisfy your unpaid liability. Name and Address Print the full name, address, and Social Security number of each person filing the return in the spaces provided. Enter names as they appear on your federal return. Social Security Number(s) Be sure to enter your Social Security number(s) on your return. Also, enter your Social Security number on pages 2 through 4 of Form 1 and on page 2 of Schedule B or Schedule C, if filed. Failure to show the correct Social Security number in the space provided will delay the processing of your return. If filing jointly, list your number and 2023 Form 1 Instructions your spouse’s number in the order they appear on your federal return. Taxpayers filing their U.S. return using an Individual Taxpayer Identification number (ITIN) should enter that ITIN as their Social Security number in the appropriate space. Also, be sure your employer has listed the correct Social Security number on your Form W-2. If you are married, you must list your spouse’s name and Social Security number even if you are filing a separate return, except as provided below. See line 1 instructions for married filing a separate return. To apply for an SSN, you must complete Form SS-5. Form SS-5 is available online at socialsecurity.gov, from your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office, or by calling the SSA at (800) 772-1213. It usually takes about two weeks to receive an SSN. If you are a nonresident or resident alien and you do not have and are not eligible for an SSN, you must apply for an ITIN. For details on how to do so, see Form W-7 and its instructions. Form W-7 is available online at irs.gov or by calling the IRS at (800) 829-1040. It usually takes about four to six weeks to receive an ITIN. Note: You must wait until you receive an ITIN or SSN to file your Massachusetts return. Filing an Amended Return Note: When filing an Amended return, the Amended return oval must be filled in. For example, if you are filing an Amended return due to a Federal amendment, both the Amended return oval and the Federal amendment oval must be filled in. 7 amending due to changes as a result of a federal audit, fill in the Federal amendment oval. If your amended return does not report changes that result from the filing of a federal amended return or from a federal audit (for example, if the amended Massachusetts return is reporting a rental deduction not claimed on the original return) fill in only the Amended return oval. Other Jurisdiction Change If your amended return includes changes resulting from another state or jurisdiction audit or change, fill in the Other Jurisdiction change oval and enter date of change in the space provided. Amended return due to IRS BBA Partnership Audit If your amended return includes changes made due to an IRS BBA Audit, fill in the Amended return due to IRS BBA Partnership Audit oval. Consent to Extend the Time to Act on an Amended Return treated as Abatement Application In certain instances, an amended return showing a reduction of tax may be treated by DOR as an abatement application. Under such circumstances, by filing an amended return, you are giving your consent for the Commissioner of Revenue to act upon the abatement application after six months from the date of filing. See TIR 1611. You may withdraw such consent at any time by contacting the DOR in writing. If consent is withdrawn, any requested reduction in tax will be deemed denied either at the expiration of six months from the date of filing or the date consent is withdrawn, whichever is later. ◗ Line 2c – You must fill in the bubble for each spouse over 65 and enter a “1” or “2” in the Total box accordingly. ◗ Line 3 – If you are a Massachusetts state, city, town, or county employee, you must report the State wages, tips etc. amount from box 16 of Form W-2. ◗ Line 14 – Enter the total qualified rent paid in 2023 in the box, then divide by 2. ◗ Line 38 – You must submit all documents that have Massachusetts withholding, including passthrough entity or K-1 withholding. ◗ Lines 39 and 40 – Be sure to differentiate any overpayment from 2022 as a credit carry forward on line 39 and do not list it as 2023 estimated tax payment on line 40. ◗ Line 44 – Schedule CB must be completed and submitted with your return. ◗ Line 49 – Excess Paid Family Leave withholding (PFML) is not the amount shown on your Form W-2. You must use the worksheet for line 49 to see if you qualify and to calculate the excess amount. Each taxpayer would need to have multiple W-2’s and to have paid PFML greater than $509.44 to qualify. Or, have paid on the gross amount of self-employment income, not the net. ◗ Schedules B, C, D – Entries should be positive values unless there is a box to mark to indicate a negative value. If you need to change a line item on your return, complete a new return with the corrected information and fill in the Amended return oval. Your amended return must include all schedules filed with the original return even if there are no changes to the schedules. Mail your amended return to the same address used for original returns. Do not file Form ABT with your amended return. An amended return can be filed to either increase or decrease your tax. An amended return should also be filed to correct a credit amount (such as withholding) or to dispute a health care penalty. Generally, an amended return must be filed within three years of the date that your original return was filed. Visit mass.gov/dor/amend for more information about filing an amended return. Filing an Application for Abatement ◗ Schedule HC – You must complete and submit Schedule HC showing the FEIN and subscriber number, member ID or Group number from insurance card. Form 1095 is a federal form and cannot be used to report health care coverage in Massachusetts. ◗ Penalties Voluntary Contribution to State Election Campaign Fund Federal Changes Not entering the information below correctly may result in an item being adjusted or removed. Filing an Amended Return If your amended return includes changes you have reported on an amended federal return filed with the IRS for the same tax year or if you are File an Application for Abatement only to dispute one of the following: ◗ Audit assessments ◗ Responsible person determinations For the fastest response time, file your dispute online at mass.gov/masstaxconnect. If you cannot file online, use Form ABT. Visit mass.gov/dor/amend for additional information about filing an amended return, or filing an application for abatement. Form 1 Frequent Errors ◗ Name – Enter your name as shown on your government-issued ID with the first, last and middle in the designated fields for each type. You, and your spouse if filing jointly, may voluntarily contribute $1 each to the State Election Campaign Fund. The purpose of this fund is to provide limited public financing for campaigns of eligible candidates for statewide and elective office. This contribution will not change your tax or reduce your refund. Veterans Benefits Fill in the appropriate oval(s) for you, and/or your spouse if married filing a joint return, if you are a veteran who served in the Armed Forces of the United States in active service as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Noble Eagle or Operation Sinai Peninsula and were discharged under honorable conditions and were domiciled for six months in Massachusetts immediately prior to entry into the Armed 2023 Form 1 Instructions Forces. DOR will then forward the name and address to the Department of Veterans’ Services and the adjutant general of the Massachusetts National Guard to verify eligibility for any benefits you may be entitled to. Deceased Taxpayer Be sure to fill in the appropriate oval if a taxpayer died during the taxable year. For further information, refer to the section How Do I File a Decedent’s Return? Under Age 18 If you are under age 18 as of January 1, 2024, be sure to fill in the oval(s). Name Change If you legally changed your name since the last time you filed a Massachusetts tax return, fill in the oval. Enclose a copy of your Social Security card or government-issued ID (i.e., driver’s license, passport, etc.) showing your new name. Failure to include this documentation could delay processing of your return. Noncustodial Parent Fill in the oval if you are a noncustodial parent. A noncustodial parent is defined as a person who has a minor child, but does not live with the child. Note: If you are the biological parent of a child, but your parental rights have been terminated, you are not the noncustodial parent of that child. Schedule TDS. Inconsistent Filing Position Penalty Fill in the oval and enclose Schedule TDS, Taxpayer Disclosure Statement, if you are disclosing any inconsistent filing positions. Schedule TDS is available on our website at mass.gov/dor. The inconsistent filing position penalty (see TIR 06-5, § IV) applies to taxpayers that take an inconsistent position in reporting income. These taxpayers must “disclose the inconsistency” when filing their Massachusetts return. If such inconsistency is not disclosed, the taxpayer will be subject to a penalty equal to the amount of tax attributable to the inconsistency. This penalty is in addition to any other penalties that may apply. A taxpayer is deemed to have taken an “inconsistent position” when the taxpayer pays less tax in Massachusetts based upon an interpretation of Massachusetts law that differs from the position taken by the taxpayer in another state where the taxpayer files a return and the governing law in that other state “is the same in all material respects” as the Massachusetts law. The Commissioner may waive or abate the penalty if the inconsistency or failure to disclose was attributable to reasonable cause and not willful neglect. 8 Schedule FCI. Foreign Corporation Income Fill in the oval and enclose Schedule FCI (Foreign Corporation Income) if you are required to complete and file Schedule FCI with your return. All taxpayers with foreign corporation income (including Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI)) must complete Schedule FCI. Detailed instructions for completing Schedule FCI are available on DOR’s website. See Schedule FCI and Instructions. ◗ You were legally separated under a final judgment of the probate court. Note that you are not single if: ◗ You have obtained a judgment of divorce which has not yet become final; ◗ You have a temporary support order; or ◗ You and your spouse simply choose to live apart. Married Filing Joint Return Digital Assets Fill in the Married filing joint return oval if you were legally married as of December 31, 2023. Both spouses are responsible for the accuracy of all information entered on a joint return and both must sign. A joint return is allowed even if only one spouse had income or if one spouse died during 2023. For further information, refer to the section “What Are the Rules for Filing a Joint Return?” Note: Lines without specific instructions are considered to be self-explanatory. Married Filing Separate Return Fill in the oval if at any time during 2023 you received (as a reward, award, or payment for property or services) a digital asset, or sold, exchanged, gifted, or otherwise disposed of a digital asset (or a financial interest in a digital asset). Digital assets include non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and virtual currencies, such as cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. a. Total Federal Income Enter your total federal income (from U.S. Form 1040, line 9). If married filing separately and living in the same household, each spouse must combine their income figures from their separate U.S. returns when completing this section. If you did not have a requirement to file a U.S. return, you must enter 0 in this section. Note: Failure to enter this information will delay the processing of your return. b. Federal Adjusted Gross Income Enter your federal adjusted gross income (from U.S. Form 1040, line 11). If married filing separately and living in the same household, each spouse must combine their income figures from their separate U.S. returns when completing this section. If you did not have a requirement to file a U.S. return, you must enter 0 in this section. Note: Failure to enter this information will delay the processing of your return. Line 1. Filing Status Note: More than one filing status may apply to you. If so, you may wish to figure your taxes based upon more than one filing status to see which status is to your benefit. Be sure to select only one filing status. Single Fill in the Single oval if you were single as of December 31, 2023. This status applies to you if at the close of the taxable year you fit into any of the following categories: ◗ You were unmarried; ◗ You were a widow or widower whose spouse died before 2023; or Fill in the Married filing separate return oval if you were legally married as of December 31, 2023, and if you and your spouse are not filing a joint return. Be sure to enter your spouse’s name and Social Security number in the space provided. If your spouse is a nonresident alien and does not have and is not required to have a Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), fill in the NRA oval. Note: Only fill in the NRA oval if, on your U.S. 1040, you entered NRA in the space below the filing status checkboxes to indicate that your spouse is a nonresident alien who does not have and is not required to have a SSN or ITIN. Head of Household Fill in the Head of household oval if you qualify to file this status federally. This status is for unmarried people who paid over half the cost of keeping up a home for a qualifying person, such as a child who lived with you or your dependent parent. Be sure to include such qualifying person on Schedule DI, Dependent Information. Certain married people who lived apart from their spouse for the last six months of 2023 and who meet all of the other federal requirements may also be able to use this status. See IRS Publication 501, Dependents, Standard Deduction, and Filing Information, for more information. Custodial Parent Fill in the Custodial parent who has released claim to exemption for child(ren) oval if you are claiming the head of household filing status and you have released your claim to one or more dependent exemptions on U.S. Form 8332, or participated in a decree or agreement to allow the noncustodial parent to claim a dependency exemption. 2023 Form 1 Instructions Whole Dollar Method Required DOR requires that the whole dollar method be used for entries made on forms or schedules. For example, amounts between $1.00 and $1.49 should be entered as $1.00 and amounts between $1.50 and $2.00 should be entered as $2.00. However, calculations on worksheets used to reach amounts shown on the return may be made in one of two ways: ◗ Round amounts before adding them up and enter the resulting total on the form; or ◗ Add amounts to the penny, and then round to the whole dollar for entry on the form. Either method is acceptable as long as one method is used consistently throughout the return. Line 2. Exemptions Line 2a. Personal Exemptions Each taxpayer is entitled to claim a personal exemption. The amount of your personal exemption depends on your filing status in line 1. ◗ If you are single or married filing a separate return, enter $4,400 in line 2a. ◗ If filing as head of household, enter $6,800 in line 2a. ◗ If married filing a joint return, enter $8,800 in line 2a. Line 2b. Number of Dependents You may claim a $1,000 exemption for each of your dependents if you claimed them on your U.S. return. Enter in the box in item b the number of dependents you listed on U.S. Form 1040. Do not include yourself or your spouse. Then, multiply that total by $1,000 and enter the total amount in line 2b. Be sure to fill out Schedule DI, Dependent Information, if you are claiming a dependent exemption(s). Failure to do so will delay the processing of your return. Note: Only one person (or married couple filing jointly) may claim the dependent exemption for any one child or other dependent. Line 2c. Age 65 or Over Before 2024 You are allowed an additional $700 exemption if you were age 65 or over before January 1, 2024. If your spouse was age 65 or over and you are filing a joint return, you may also claim a $700 exemption for your spouse. Fill in the appropriate oval(s) and enter the total number of persons age 65 or over in the small box. Multiply that total by $700 and enter the total in line 2c. Line 2d: Blindness Exemption You are allowed an additional $2,200 exemption if you are legally blind. If your spouse is also legally blind and you are filing a joint return, you may also claim a $2,200 exemption for your spouse. Fill in the appropriate oval(s) and enter the total number 9 of blindness exemptions in the small box. Multiply that total by $2,200 and enter the total in line 2d. Legal Definition of Blindness You are legally blind and qualify for the blindness exemption if your visual acuity with correction is 20/200 or less in the better eye, or if your peripheral field of vision has been contracted to a 10-degree radius or less, regardless of visual acuity. Line 2e. Medical/Dental Expenses You may claim an exemption for medical and dental expenses paid during 2023 only if you itemized these expenses on your U.S. Form 1040, Schedule A. If you are married filing a joint U.S. Form 1040, you must file a joint Massachusetts Form 1 to claim this exemption. Enter in line 2e the amount reported on your U.S. Form 1040, Schedule A, line 4. Line 2f. Adoption Agency Fee If you paid adoption fees to a licensed adoption agency during 2023, you are eligible for an exemption of the total amount of the fees paid during the year. Fees paid during 2023 to an agency licensed to place children for adoption on account of the adoption process of a minor child regardless of whether an adoption actually took place during 2023 should also be included for this exemption. Enter this amount in line 2f. 5.0% Income Note: DOR and the IRS maintain an extensive exchange program, routinely sharing computer tapes and audit results. Discrepancies between income, deductions, and schedules reported federally and on this return, except those allowed under state law, will be identified and may result in a state audit or further investigation. Line 3. Wages, Salaries, Tips and Other Employee Compensation Report in line 3 total state wages and allocated tips from Form(s) W-2. Generally, your total wages and allocated tips will be the same amount reported on your U.S. Form 1040, line 1z. Note: Following are instances that require an adjustment to these amounts: Massachusetts Residents Working in a Foreign Country Income earned by a Massachusetts resident in a foreign country is subject to taxation in Massachusetts. If you excluded part or all of the compensation earned in a foreign country on your U.S. return (under IRC § 911), you must include any such amount in line 3 for Massachusetts tax purposes. State or Local Employees Contributing to Pension Plans If you are a Massachusetts state, city, town or county employee and contributed to your pension plan, enter in line 3 the Massachusetts W-2 state wage amount. This is generally box 16 of Form W-2. This amount will be higher than the U.S. amount because your pension contributions are excluded from your income for U.S. tax purposes. Contributions up to $2,000 per taxpayer may be deducted in lines 11a and/or 11b. Line 4. Taxable Pensions and Annuities Income from most private pensions or annuity plans is taxable in Massachusetts. Certain government pensions, however, are exempt under Massachusetts law. In general, exempt pensions include contributory pensions from the U.S. Government or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its political subdivisions, and noncontributory military pensions. The following section describes some specific pensions which are exempt. If your pension is exempt, enter 0 in line 4 and note the source on the dotted line to the left. If your pension is not exempt, you should generally enter in line 4 the taxable amount reported on your U.S. Form 1040, line 5b. In some cases, however, Massachusetts law requires an adjustment to the federal amount. Distributions from annuity, stock bonus, pension, profit-sharing or deferred payment plans or contracts described in §§ 403(b) and 404 of the IRC must be adjusted to account for your contributions that have been previously taxed. Subtract from such income (as reported on your U.S. Form 1040, line 5a) the amount of your contributions which was previously taxed by Massachusetts until the total of your taxed contributions is received. If your pension falls into this category, enter the adjusted amount in line 4. If you are receiving distributions from an IRA or Keogh plan, do not report the income here; instead, see the instructions for Schedule X, line 2. Note: Massachusetts does not tax Social Security income; therefore, you should not report such income on Massachusetts Form 1. What pensions are exempt? ◗ Pension income received from a contributory annuity, pension, endowment or retirement fund of the U.S. Government or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and its political subdivisions. ◗ Pension income from other states or their political subdivisions which do not tax such income from Massachusetts, or its political subdivisions must be reported in line 4. However, this income may be eligible for a deduction on Schedule Y line 13. Refer to the instructions for Schedule Y line 13 to determine eligibility for this deduction. 2023 Form 1 Instructions ◗ Noncontributory pension income or survivorship benefits received from the U.S. uniformed services (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, commissioned corps of the Public Health Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) are exempt from taxation in Massachusetts. ◗ Massachusetts state court judges who were appointed on or after January 2, 1975 are participants in the Massachusetts contributory retirement system and their pensions are nontaxable. State court judges who were appointed prior to January 2, 1975 receive taxable noncontributory pensions. If you retired under MGL ch 32, §§ 56–60 and are a veteran who began Massachusetts state service prior to July 1, 1939, all or part of your pension income may be subject to tax. If you elected to receive your proceeds from contributions in one lump-sum distribution, your original contributions to the retirement system are not taxable. Noncontributory pension income received after a lump-sum distribution is fully taxable and should be reported in line 4. How do I report lump-sum distributions? 10 Line 5. Interest from Massachusetts Banks party software. The tax return may be generated by the taxpayer or by a tax professional. The taxpayer is encouraged, but not required, to submit the return electronically. Paper forms produced using the third-party software product will contain a two-dimensional (2D) bar code and will also be accepted. If the taxpayer hires an income tax preparer to complete the taxpayer’s taxes, the preparer must follow the Commissioner’s electronic filing rules. See TIRs 08-22 and 16-9 for more information. Note: This exemption amount does not apply to your U.S. tax return. If you do not have access to a software package when filing your 2023 income tax return, you may file your Schedule(s) E on paper. Visit our website at mass.gov/dor to download a paper copy of the 2023 Schedule(s) E, E-1, E-2, E-3 (and instructions) to file with your income tax return. Enter in line 5a the total amount of interest received or credited to deposit accounts (term and time deposits, including certificates of deposit, savings accounts, savings shares, and NOW accounts) in Massachusetts banks. Then, enter your exemption amount in line 5b (if married filing jointly, enter $200; otherwise, enter $100). Subtract line 5b from 5a and enter the result in line 5, but not less than 0. Do not subtract interest forfeited or penalties charged to you for early savings withdrawal. You will be allowed to deduct these amounts on Schedule Y, line 2. All other interest, unless exempt, should be entered on Massachusetts Schedule B. Interest on an IRA/Keogh is not taxable until distributed. Lines 6, 7 and 10 If showing a loss in lines 6, 7 or 10, be sure to mark over the X in the box to the left. Do not use parentheses or negative signs to indicate losses. If you were an employee of the U.S., Massachusetts or one of its political subdivisions and left public employment prior to retirement, you are not required to report as income the lump-sum distribution of your previously-taxed pension contributions. Line 6a. Business/Profession Income or Loss Lump-sum distributions of qualified employee benefit plans in excess of the employee’s contributions which were previously subject to Massachusetts tax (or not previously excluded from Massachusetts tax) must be reported in line 4. Generally, qualified rollovers are not taxable in Massachusetts to the extent they are not taxable on your U.S. return. Lump-sum distributions related to IRA/Keogh and Roth IRA distributions should be reported in Form 1, line 9, “Other Income (from Schedule X).” Note: Following the Code Update, you may not deduct an excess business loss (EBL) for tax year 2023. For federal purposes, your EBL, if any, is determined using U.S. Form 461 and is added back to your income on U.S. Form 1040, Schedule 1, line 8p. You must also add back EBL to Massachusetts income. To do so, use Massachusetts Schedule X, line 6. See instructions for that line for more information. Rollover from a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. Taxpayers are allowed to make partial or complete rollovers from existing IRAs to Roth IRAs. Any taxable portion of these rollovers included in federal gross income is also included in Massachusetts gross income, except for amounts previously subject to Massachusetts personal income tax. See Schedule X, line 2 instructions for further details. Enter in line 6a the amount of income or loss from a business or profession from Massachusetts Schedule C, line 37. You must enclose Massachusetts Schedule C with this return. Line 6b. Farm Income or Loss If you operate a farm as an individual or cooperative, enter in line 6b the amount of income or loss from operating a farm from U.S. Schedule F, Profit or Loss from Farming, line 34. Enclose a copy of U.S. Schedule F. Complete a pro forma U.S. Schedule F to report Massachusetts differences, such as bonus depreciation. Line 7. Rental, Royalty, REMIC, Part­ner­ ship, S Corporation, Trust Income or Loss Taxpayers with income or loss reported on a Schedule E must file his or her tax return using computer-generated forms produced by third- Line 8a. Unemployment Compensation If you received unemployment compensation, enter in line 8a the amount from U.S. Form 1040, Schedule 1, line 7. If you elected voluntary withholding of Massachusetts state income taxes on your unemployment compensation, be sure to include the amount of Massachusetts state income tax withheld, as reported on Form 1099-G, on Form 1, line 38b. Note: DOR routinely matches the amounts in line 8a with files from the Division of Unemployment Assistance. Line 8b. Massachusetts State Lottery Winnings Enter in line 8b all winnings from the Massachusetts state lottery. Do not enter less than 0. You may only deduct the price of your winning ticket. Lottery losses claimed as itemized deductions on U.S. Form 1040, Schedule A are not allowed on your Massachusetts return. Note: DOR routinely matches the amounts in line 8b with files from the Lottery Commission. Line 9. Other Income (from Schedule X) Taxable Alimony Received, Taxable IRA/ Keogh and Roth IRA Conversion Distributions, Other Gambling Winnings, Fees, Excess Business Loss Adjustment, and Other 5.0% Income and PFML taxable distributions. “Other 5.0% income” includes the items listed above and must be included on Schedule X. Enter the total from Schedule X, line 7. Not less than 0. Be sure to enclose Schedule X with your return. Failure to enclose this schedule will delay the processing of your return. 2023 Form 1 Instructions Deductions Lines 11 through 15 Massachusetts allowable deductions differ from itemized deductions on Schedule A of U.S. Form 1040. You may claim only the deductions specified on Massachusetts Form 1, lines 11 through 14 and Schedule Y. You are not allowed to deduct amounts unless they are directly related to income that is subject to taxation and reported on Massachusetts Form 1. Line 11. Amount Paid to Social Security (FICA), Medicare, Rail­road, U.S. or Massachusetts Retirement Systems If you have paid into any of the retirement systems listed above during 2023, you may deduct those contributions, up to a maximum of $2,000. Enter in lines 11a and 11b the amount you, and your spouse if filing jointly, paid to Social Security (FICA), Medicare or Railroad Retirement and the U.S. or Massachusetts retirement systems during 2023 as shown on your Form W-2, but not more than $2,000 each. Payment amounts may not be combined or transferred from one spouse to the other. Be sure to add any amount of Medicare tax withheld as shown on Form W-2 and any amount of self-employment tax as reported on your U.S. Form 1040 to the amount of Social Security tax withheld, the total not to exceed $2,000 per person. Note: Medicare premiums deducted from your Social Security or retirement payments are not deductible. Payments to an IRA, Keogh, Simplified Employee Pension Plan (SEP), or Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees (SIMPLE) Account are not deductible for Massachusetts income tax purposes. Line 14. Rental Deduction 11 paid. If the rent is paid by a third party (such as a parent) who maintains a principal residence elsewhere, no 50% rental deduction is allowed for either party. A principal residence does not include any residence for vacation, an apartment for a person on a temporary assignment or a student or faculty member who has a principal residence elsewhere. It also does not include any apartment or house in Massachusetts of a nonresident who has a residence in another state or country. Payment for occupying a hotel, motel or rooming house is not considered rent unless a rental agreement exists. Nor are payments by a tenant-stockholder of a cooperative housing corporation to the corporation and payments by an owner of a condominium unit to the condominium association considered rent. All separately stated charges such as utilities, furnishings or parking cannot be included in rent for purposes of this deduction. Also, rent does not include any advance payments (such as security deposit, last month’s rent, etc.) until actually applied as rent. How Do I Calculate My Rental Deduction If I Am Married Filing Separately? If married taxpayers file separate returns, they are each entitled to a rental deduction equal to 50% of the rent each pays, not to exceed $2,000 per return. However, a married couple filing separately may allocate the rent deduction differently, provided the amount taken by each spouse does not exceed 50% of the rent actually paid by that spouse, and provided their combined rental deductions do not exceed $4,000. If the allocation results in one spouse claiming a deduction in excess of $2,000, that spouse must enclose with his/ her return a statement signed by the other spouse indicating consent to the allocation. The statement must contain the name, address and Social Security number of the consenting spouse and the amount of rental deduction taken by that spouse. You may be entitled to a rental deduction equal to one-half (50%) of the rent you paid during 2023 (up to a maximum of $4,000 per return) for your principal residence in Massachusetts. Enter the total amount of qualified rent paid by you during 2023 in line 14a. Divide line 14a by 2 and enter the result, or $4,000 ($2,000 if married filing a separate return), whichever is smaller, in line 14. Line 15. Other Deductions (from Schedule Y) Note: This deduction amount does not apply to your U.S. tax return. Line 19. 5.0% Income After Exemptions What Qualifies for the Rental Deduction? The deduction must be for rent you paid to a landlord for the rental or lease of your principal residence in Massachusetts. If two or more persons jointly rent a unit, each occupant using it as his/ her principal residence is entitled to a deduction based on the amount of rent that each person Enter the total from Schedule Y, line 19. Be sure to enclose Schedule Y with your return. Failure to do so will delay the processing of your return. Line 17. 5.0% Income After Deductions Subtract line 16 from line 10. Enter the result in line 17. If line 16 exceeds line 10, enter 0 in line 17. Subtract line 18 from line 17. If line 18 exceeds line 17, enter 0 in line 19. If line 18 exceeds line 17 and you received interest income (other than interest from Massachusetts banks), dividends or capital gain income, complete the Schedule B, Line 36 and Schedule D, Line 20 Worksheet, if applicable. All others proceed to line 20. Schedule B, Line 36 and Schedule D, Line 20 Worksheet. Excess Exemptions from Interest and Dividend Income, 8.5% and 12% Income and Long-Term Capital Gain Income (Only if Single, Head of Household, or ­Married Filing Jointly) If your total exemptions in Form 1, line 18 are more than the amount of your 5.0% income after deductions in Form 1, line 17, the excess may be applied against any interest and dividend income and income taxed at 8.5% or 12%. Any remaining excess amount may then be applied against any long-term capital gain i­ncome. Complete this worksheet only if Form 1, line 17 is less than Form 1, line 18 and you received interest income (other than interest from Massachusetts banks), dividends or capital gain income to determine if you qualify for the excess exemption. Enter all losses as 0. 1. Enter amount from Schedule B, line 35. Not less than 0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2. Enter amount from Form 1, line 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. Enter amount from Form 1, line 17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4. Subtract line 3 from line 2. If 0 or less, you do not qualify for this exemption. Omit remainder of worksheet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5. Excess exemptions applied against interest and dividend income and 8.5% or 12% income. If line 1 is larger than line 4, enter line 4 here and in Schedule B, line 36. If line 4 is equal to
Extracted from PDF file 2023-massachusetts-form-1-instructions.pdf, last modified January 2024

More about the Massachusetts Form 1 Instructions Individual Income Tax TY 2023

Use these instructions to help you fill out and file your Form 1 individual income tax return with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Form 1 Instructions requires you to list multiple forms of income, such as wages, interest, or alimony .

We last updated the Individual Income Tax Instructions in January 2024, so this is the latest version of Form 1 Instructions, fully updated for tax year 2023. You can download or print current or past-year PDFs of Form 1 Instructions directly from TaxFormFinder. You can print other Massachusetts tax forms here.


eFile your Massachusetts tax return now

eFiling is easier, faster, and safer than filling out paper tax forms. File your Massachusetts and Federal tax returns online with TurboTax in minutes. FREE for simple returns, with discounts available for TaxFormFinder users!

File Now with TurboTax

Other Massachusetts Individual Income Tax Forms:

TaxFormFinder has an additional 126 Massachusetts income tax forms that you may need, plus all federal income tax forms.

Form Code Form Name
Form 1-ES Instructions Estimated Income Tax Forms & Instructions
Form 1 Resident Income Tax Return
Form 1 Instructions Individual Income Tax Instructions
Form 1-NR/PY Nonresident or Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return
Schedule HC Health Care Information

Download all MA tax forms View all 127 Massachusetts Income Tax Forms


Form Sources:

Massachusetts usually releases forms for the current tax year between January and April. We last updated Massachusetts Form 1 Instructions from the Department of Revenue in January 2024.

Show Sources >

About the Individual Income Tax

The IRS and most states collect a personal income tax, which is paid throughout the year via tax withholding or estimated income tax payments.

Most taxpayers are required to file a yearly income tax return in April to both the Internal Revenue Service and their state's revenue department, which will result in either a tax refund of excess withheld income or a tax payment if the withholding does not cover the taxpayer's entire liability. Every taxpayer's situation is different - please consult a CPA or licensed tax preparer to ensure that you are filing the correct tax forms!

Historical Past-Year Versions of Massachusetts Form 1 Instructions

We have a total of nine past-year versions of Form 1 Instructions in the TaxFormFinder archives, including for the previous tax year. Download past year versions of this tax form as PDFs here:


2017 Form 1 Instructions

form 1 instructions

2016 Form 1 Instructions

form 1 instructions

2015 Form 1 Instructions

form 1 instructions


TaxFormFinder Disclaimer:

While we do our best to keep our list of Massachusetts Income Tax Forms up to date and complete, we cannot be held liable for errors or omissions. Is the form on this page out-of-date or not working? Please let us know and we will fix it ASAP.

** This Document Provided By TaxFormFinder.org **
Source: http://www.taxformfinder.org/massachusetts/form-1-instructions