There's broad eligibility criteria for the tax relief Massachusetts officials will start distributing in November.
Massachusetts taxpayers are slated to receive hundreds of dollars in direct relief starting this November, as officials return nearly $3 billion in excess revenues as stipulated by a 1980s state law while relying on broad eligibility parameters.
To qualify for the refund, residents need to file their 2021 state tax returns on or before Oct. 17, according to a new government webpage about Chapter 62F, the statute that scrambled tax relief on Beacon Hill at the end of July. It’s an open question what other tax breaks may be approved by the Massachusetts Legislature in the coming weeks — including expanded child care and dependent care tax credits, as well as one-time $250 rebates — that lawmakers scrapped as they struggled to gauge what relief remained affordable despite overflowing state coffers.
State officials say both resident and non-resident filers are eligible for the tax refund, as are fiduciary filers like trusts and estates. Non-residents involved in partnerships are also eligible if their taxes are filed on a composite basis.
Taxpayers do not need to take any direct action to collect the refund, which will be distributed automatically as a check in the mail or through direct deposit.
Although officials are still finalizing the refund value, the credit will likely hover around 13% of an individual’s personal income tax liability for 2021.
Taxpayers can consult the state’s refund estimator to pinpoint how much money they should expect while taking into account their income tax after credits, such as the earned income credit, senior circuit breaker credit, child care credit, dependent care credit and other refundable credits. Individuals can request a copy of their 2021 Massachusetts tax returns here.
A single taxpayer with no children earning $50,000 could expect to get a refund of $325, according to the estimator tool. The refund would jump to $488 with an income of $75,000; $650 with an income of $100,000; and $975 with an income of $150,000.
A married couple filing jointly with two children and earning $150,000 would see a refund of $913, according to the estimator tool. The refund would rise to $1,238 with an income of $200,000; $1,563 with an income of $250,000; and $1,888 under an income of $300,000.
The state on Tuesday will launch a call center to answer Chapter 62F refund questions. People can dial 877-677-9727 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (User Agreement updated 1/1/21. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022).
© 2022 Advance Local Media LLC. All rights reserved (About Us). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local.
Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site.