Boston MA Tax Calculator 2026: No City Income Tax
Calculate Boston Massachusetts taxes with no separate city income tax, 5% state ordinary income tax, 4% surtax threshold context, FY26 property-tax source, 6.25% sales tax, FICA, and take-home pay.
Answer first
Boston MA local income tax: 0%, with 5% Massachusetts ordinary income tax
Boston does not add a separate wage income tax in this profile. For residents, the income-tax stack is federal income tax, Massachusetts ordinary income tax, the 4% Massachusetts surtax only above the official 2026 threshold, and FICA; local burden planning also needs parcel-level property-tax lookup and item-level sales or meals-tax verification.
Boston source check
Boston MA tax calculator: no separate city income tax
Boston does not add a separate wage income tax in this city profile. The main wage-income layers are federal income tax, Massachusetts ordinary income tax, FICA, and the Massachusetts 4% surtax only when taxable income exceeds the official 2026 threshold.
| 2026 tax item | Boston answer | How to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Boston local income tax | 0% separate city wage income tax in this profile | Use federal payroll/FICA rules plus Massachusetts income-tax guidance; no Boston wage-tax line is added here. |
| Massachusetts income tax | 5% ordinary rate; 4% surtax only above $1,107,750 taxable income in 2026 | Verify with Massachusetts DOR tax rates. |
| Property tax | FY26 residential billing rate $12.40 per $1,000; this profile also uses a 1.04% effective burden estimate | Check the FY26 rate history and Boston Assessing for parcel value, exemption, abatement, and quarterly bill details. |
| Sales and meals tax | 6.25% general Massachusetts sales/use tax; restaurant meals can require local-option meals-tax checks | Use MA sales/use tax and MA meals tax for item and vendor rules. |
The calculator below is a planning estimate, not a tax filing position. High earners, homeowners, restaurant purchases, rentals, and parcel-specific exemptions should be checked against official Massachusetts and Boston sources before filing or buying.
State Income Tax
5%
Massachusetts
Property Tax
1.04%
Effective rate
Sales Tax
6.25%
Combined rate
Tax Burden
Very High
Boston, MA Tax Overview
High cost of living; flat 5% Massachusetts income tax plus 4% surtax on taxable income over $1,107,750 for tax year 2026
Population
675,647
Median Income
$76,298
Cost of Living
152.5 (100 = avg)
State Income Tax
5%
Median Home Price
$685,000
Boston Tax Calculator
Pre-filled with Boston median: $76,298
Total Tax Burden in Boston
$17,607
Take-Home: $58,691 · Effective Rate: 23.08%
Federal Tax
$7,956
10.43% eff.
MA State
$3,815
5.00% eff.
FICA
$5,837
7.65% eff.
Take-Home
$58,691
76.92% kept
Tax Breakdown
| Item | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $76,298.00 | $6,358.17 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$7,955.56 | -$662.96 |
| Massachusetts State Tax | -$3,814.90 | -$317.91 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$4,730.48 | -$394.21 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$1,106.32 | -$92.19 |
| Take-Home Pay | $58,690.74 | $4,890.90 |
Property Tax in Boston
Median Home
$685,000
Annual Tax
$7,124
Monthly Tax
$594
Effective Rate
1.04%
Sales Tax in Boston
Combined Rate
6.25%
State Portion
6.25%
Local General
0% general
The combined sales tax rate in Boston is 6.25%, which is below the national average of 7.12%. On a $100 purchase, you would pay $6.25 in sales tax.
General Massachusetts sales/use tax is statewide, but restaurant meals, exemptions, vendor sourcing, and item categories can change the final tax. Verify large purchases and meals with official Massachusetts guidance.
Tax Burden Comparison
| Tax Type | Boston | Massachusetts Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 5% | 5% | 4.6% |
| Property Tax | 1.04% | ~1.04% | 1.1% |
| Sales Tax | 6.25% | ~6.25% | 7.12% |
| Overall Burden | Very High | — | Moderate |
About Taxes in Boston
Boston has a population of approximately 675,647 residents with a median household income of $76,298. The cost of living index is 152.5 (52.5% higher than the national average of 100).
Local context: High cost of living; flat 5% Massachusetts income tax plus 4% surtax on taxable income over $1,107,750 for tax year 2026
Tax burden classification: Very High. Effective combined tax rate of 33.5% includes federal, state, FICA, property, and sales taxes for a typical Boston household.
Official Tax Resources for Massachusetts
For authoritative Massachusetts tax forms, filing deadlines, and the latest legislative updates, consult these official government resources:
- Massachusetts Department of Revenue — official state revenue agency
- Massachusetts Individual Income Tax Forms — current tax year forms and instructions
- IRS Federal Tax Forms and Instructions — federal income tax filing
Tax Saving Tips for Boston Residents
- Boston wage planning should start with the no-city-income-tax answer, then separate Massachusetts 5% ordinary income tax, the 4% surtax only above the 2026 surtax threshold, federal income tax, and FICA.
- Property tax in Boston (1.04%) is below the national average of 1.1%. This makes homeownership more affordable here relative to property tax burden.
- Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) if eligible. Contributions are tax-deductible ($4,400 individual, $8,750 family), growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free.
Find Your Local Tax Authority in Boston
The 1.04% property tax rate shown above is a city-profile effective estimate. Your actual Boston property tax bill is set by your county assessor and may include additional levies from your school district, municipal utility district (MUD), or special assessment district. Use these official lookup tools to confirm exact rates for your specific address:
Look up the county your Boston address belongs to and find your assessor's office:
- • NACo County Explorer — search by address
- • USA.gov — Massachusetts local govt directory
School districts add their own millage rate to property tax:
- • NCES District Locator — federal database
- • NCES School Locator (EDGE)
Municipal Utility Districts and special assessment districts are common in fast-growing Massachusetts suburbs:
- • Census — Census of Governments
- • Check your tax bill for line items beyond county + school district
Disagree with your assessment? You can appeal:
- • Property Tax Appeal Guide
- • Most counties allow 30-60 days post-assessment to file appeal
Why this matters: Two homes valued the same in Boston can pay different property tax depending on which school district + MUD they fall within. Always verify with your specific address — the address-level rate may be 10-30% higher than the city average shown here.
Other Cities in Massachusetts
Worcester
HighSpringfield
ModerateCambridge
Very HighLowell
HighBrockton
HighNew Bedford
HighSources & Methodology
Tax rate data on this page is compiled from official government sources and updated for the 2026 tax year. Calculations follow the IRS-published 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA rates (6.2% Social Security up to $184,500 wage base, 1.45% Medicare), and Massachusetts state tax provisions. Property tax estimates use Boston's median home value of $685,000and the local effective property tax rate of 1.04%.
- • Federal tax brackets and standard deductions: IRS.gov
- • State income tax rates and brackets: Massachusetts Department of Revenue
- • Median household income, home value, and demographics: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
- • Cost of living comparisons: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CES
- • National average benchmarks: Tax Foundation state-level tax burden studies
Disclaimer: Estimates are for informational purposes only. Actual tax liability depends on filing status, deductions, credits, and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed tax professional or your state revenue agency for binding tax guidance.
Reviewed by LevyIO Tax Research Team · Published 2026-01-15 · Last updated 2026-05-31
Calculate Your Full Massachusetts Tax Burden
See detailed state tax brackets, FICA breakdown, and compare to neighboring states.
Reviewed data sources
Reviewed May 31, 2026. Calculations use current public tax guidance and published source data.
1. Enter the tax scenario
Use the filing status, income type, state, payroll, deduction, credit, or transaction details that match the real case.
2. Review assumptions
Check the visible formula context, source notes, related calculators, and federal or state limits before relying on the estimate.
3. Verify before filing
Confirm final tax positions with IRS guidance, state revenue agencies, payroll records, brokerage forms, or a qualified tax professional.
Planning estimate, not tax advice
LevyIO calculators are educational planning tools. Actual federal, state, payroll, property, sales, and local tax results can change with filing status, credits, deductions, residency, employer withholding, address-level rates, and current forms. Verify final filing positions with IRS or state guidance, payroll records, tax software, or a qualified tax professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Boston, Massachusetts have a city income tax?
No. LevyIO does not list a separate Boston wage income tax. Boston residents generally plan for federal income tax, FICA, Massachusetts state income tax, and address-specific property and sales tax rules.
What Massachusetts income-tax rate should Boston residents use in 2026?
Use 5% for ordinary Massachusetts income-tax planning, then apply the additional 4% surtax only to taxable income above the 2026 Massachusetts surtax threshold of $1,107,750. Do not describe all Boston income as taxed at 9%.
What is the Boston property-tax rate for FY2026?
The City of Boston FY26 tax-rate history lists the residential property-tax rate as $12.40 per $1,000 of assessed value, the commercial rate as $26.96 per $1,000, and the residential exemption as $4,353.74. LevyIO also shows a 1.04% effective profile estimate for broad burden comparisons, so final bills should be verified by parcel.
What are the tax rates in Boston, MA?
Boston, Massachusetts has no separate Boston wage income tax in this profile. Massachusetts ordinary personal income tax is 5%, with an additional 4% surtax only on taxable income above $1,107,750 for tax year 2026. The profile uses a 1.04% effective property-tax estimate and 6.25% general sales-tax context, but final property bills and item-specific sales or meals tax should be verified with official sources.
How much is property tax in Boston?
The effective property tax rate in Boston is 1.04%. On the median home price of $685,000, this equals approximately $7,124 per year or $594 per month. This is below the national average of 1.1%.
What is the sales tax rate in Boston?
The combined sales tax rate in Boston is 6.25%, which includes both state and local components. This is below the national average combined rate of approximately 7.12%.
How does Boston's tax burden compare to other cities?
Boston has a very high overall tax burden. The effective total tax rate for a median-income household is approximately 33.5%. The combination of 5% state income tax, 1.04% property tax, and 6.25% sales tax determines the total burden. Cost of living index is 152.5 (100 = national average).
Are there any local taxes in Boston?
Boston does not impose a separate local or city wage income tax in this profile. Residents pay Massachusetts state income tax, federal income tax, and FICA; high earners should check the 4% Massachusetts surtax above $1,107,750 of 2026 taxable income. High cost of living; flat 5% Massachusetts income tax plus 4% surtax on taxable income over $1,107,750 for tax year 2026