MA – Income Tax Return Screen Guide | 1040.com® 

Article: 50635

Use Tax 

Indicate whether you made purchases over the internet or by catalog where you didn’t pay Massachusetts sales tax in 20YY. 

If Yes: 

  • You may choose to use the Safe Harbor method (for items under $1,000). 
  • If not using Safe Harbor, enter the total amount of untaxed purchases. 
  • If you paid sales tax to another state, enter the amount paid or 6.25% of purchases—whichever is less. 

Voluntary Donations 

You may choose to make voluntary contributions to the following funds. If Yes, enter the amount for any that apply: 

  • Endangered Wildlife Conservation 
  • Organ Transplant Fund 
  • Massachusetts Public Health HIV and Hepatitis Fund 
  • Massachusetts United States Olympic Fund 
  • Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund 
  • Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund 

You may also opt to contribute $1 to the Massachusetts Election Campaign Fund. 

Massachusetts Nonresident 

If you’re not a Massachusetts resident, indicate whether your legal residence address differs from your federal return. 
If Yes, enter your legal U.S. address. 

Your Massachusetts Return 

If someone else (like a CPA, attorney, or trustee) is handling your return, select Yes and enter their address. 

Non-Custodial Parent & Filing Status Adjustments 

  • Indicate if you’re a non-custodial parent 
  • Select a different filing status for Massachusetts, if needed 

Identity & Contact Changes 

  • Indicate if your name or address changed during 2024 
  • Confirm if the name on your return matches your driver’s license or Social Security record 

Veteran Status 

Indicate if you are a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces who served during Operation Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Noble Eagle, or in the Sinai Peninsula. 

Jurisdiction Change 

If you changed jurisdictions within Massachusetts during 20YY, indicate Yes and provide the date of the change. 

Adoption Fees 

If you paid fees to a licensed adoption agency, enter the amount. These fees are exempt from Massachusetts income. 

Rent Deduction 

If you paid rent for your main home or apartment during 20YY, enter the total amount to calculate your deduction. 

Advanced Options 

Clicking I’d like to see the advanced options reveals the following: 

  • Joint return exemption for with MA income under $8,000 (must paper file) 
  • Optional 5.85% tax rate 
  • Rental deduction for Married Filing Separately filers (disallows e-filing) 
  • Indicate if you did not maintain a dwelling outside Massachusetts while nonresident/part-year 

Adjustment and override fields

  • Additional Tax on Installment Sales 
  • Loan-Out Affidavit withholding 
  • Excess Paid Family Leave Withholding 
  • Social Security, Medicare, Railroad, or MA Retirement contributions: 
    • Taxpayer 
    • Spouse 
  • Wages, Salaries, and Tips override (overrides federal data used by Massachusetts) 

How to Add This Screen 

  1. Open the State Taxes section in the left-hand navigation 
  2. Click the link I’d like to see the forms I’ve filled out or search for a form.
  3. Select Massachusetts from the state drop-down. 
  4. Under the General tab, click MA – Income – General Information

Further Information 

For official instructions and details, visit: 
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-personal-income-tax-forms-and-instructions