Does Massachusetts Tax Social Security?
No. Here is what does still apply. Updated for 2026.
Verdict: no. Massachusetts does not tax Social Security benefits in 2026. Your benefits are not touched by state income tax here.
Why the answer is no
Massachusetts has a state income tax but fully exempts Social Security benefits from it.
Only eight states tax Social Security in 2026: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont. Massachusetts is not among them, so there is nothing to plan around at the state level.
Be careful with older articles on this. The list has shrunk quickly, and much of what is still published online names nine, twelve or even thirteen states.
Federal tax still applies
This is the part people miss. Whatever your state does, up to 85% of your Social Security benefits can be subject to federal income tax, depending on your provisional income, which is your other income plus half your benefits.
Far more retirees pay federal tax on benefits than pay any state tax on them. If you are budgeting, that is the number that matters.
What actually moves the needle in Massachusetts
State tax treatment is a small factor next to when you claim. Claiming at 62 pays 70% of your full benefit for life. Waiting until 70 pays 124%. That gap dwarfs any state tax difference, and it applies wherever you live.
Run your own figures in the claiming age calculator, then read when to claim.
If you are weighing a move for tax reasons, benefits are rarely the deciding factor. Property taxes, healthcare access and housing costs matter more. Best Life Index compares Massachusetts on cost of living overall.
Frequently asked questions
No. Massachusetts does not tax Social Security benefits in 2026. Only eight states do, and Massachusetts is not one of them.
No. There is no Massachusetts state tax on Social Security benefits. Federal tax can still apply on up to 85% of your benefits.
Eight: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont. West Virginia finished phasing out its tax effective the 2026 tax year, and Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska repealed in 2024.
It can be, in every state. Depending on your provisional income, up to 85% of your benefits may be subject to federal income tax. This affects far more people than any state tax on benefits.
There is no Social Security tax to escape in Massachusetts, so this is not a reason to move either way.