What does Massachusetts do with your Tax Money?

NASBO estimates that for the fiscal year (FY) 2021, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts had total expenditures of $68.5 billion. These total expenditures included general funds, additional state money, bonds, and federal monies.

According to the NASBO, the total spending for all 50 states in FY 2021 was $2.7 trillion, with Wyoming’s being the lowest at $4.7 billion and California’s being the most at $512.8 billion.[1]

As a result of the fact that local governments frequently administer programs funded by the state, combined data from the state and local governments provide a more accurate depiction of the personal benefits and contributions associated with each form when compared to other states.

How much federal funding does Massachusetts receive?

As a direct response to the COVID-19 outbreak, it is projected that the federal government will assist the state of Massachusetts in the amount of around $115 billion.[2] There were three distinct channels through which funding was made accessible:

The federal government assists individuals, corporations, or non-profit organizations.
Targeted aid administered by the Commonwealth.
Flexible service provided by the federal government to the Commonwealth.

How much federal taxes does Massachusetts pay?

Massachusetts’s individual income tax rate is a flat 5.00 percent on taxable income. The state of Massachusetts levies an income tax on corporations at the rate of 8%. Massachusetts has a sales tax rate of 6.25 percent.[3] However, there are no municipal sales taxes levied in the state.

Tax	Marginal Tax Rate	2021 Taxes
Federal	22.00%	$9,600

How much are SSI payments in Massachusetts?

The Social Security Administration is in charge of administering the government program known as Supplemental Security Income, or SSI (SSA). Those qualified for SSI for a low income and are at least 65 years old, blind, or crippled are eligible to receive monthly benefits.

The State Supplement Program is what’s known as the supplementary funds provided by Massachusetts (SSP). Massachusetts’s federal benefit rate (FBR) for a person receiving SSI in 2022 is $841.00.[4]

What tax breaks does Massachusetts have?

The state income and sales tax have a rate of 5%. However, the sales tax is calculated as the percentage of the total purchase price equal to 6.25%.[5]

A variety of tax credits and deductions, such as a credit for income tax paid to another jurisdiction and a deduction for rent and commuting costs, are made available to residents of Massachusetts by the state of Massachusetts to assist individuals in lowering their total tax burden.

Is Massachusetts a business-friendly state?

Beginning a firm in Massachusetts, ranked as the second-best state for access to venture capital, is an excellent alternative for those interested in becoming their boss. Get on the fast road to financial and personal freedom by getting your business up and running now with a straightforward and step-by-step guide.

Because of the state’s restrictions and tax rates, achieving any level of company success in this area is exceedingly tricky. The most successful business people in our nation’s 50 states have placed Massachusetts among the states that are the least favorable for doing business.

Is Massachusetts a landlord-friendly state?

The fact that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has several limits on the fees that landlords are allowed to charge makes it commonly accepted that Massachusetts is not a landlord-friendly jurisdiction.

Despite this, the state of Massachusetts does not have any rent control laws. The legislation in Massachusetts enables landlords to recover overdue rent payments from tenants legally.

In addition, it allows the landlord to take from the tenant’s security deposit the cost of severe damage beyond the normal deterioration of the property and to require that the renter maintain their property in excellent repair and condition.

What rights do tenants have in Massachusetts?

Sustainability laws

Throughout the whole of your tenure, you have the right to a living environment that is both safe and livable. The State Sanitary Code ensures that tenants and the general public are protected in their health, safety, and well-being. The city or town where you rent regulates the Code. The following is a selection of provisions that are described in the Code:

Water
Heat
Kitchens
Structural Elements
Snow removal

Legal authority to turn off a utility

There are several rules and restrictions regarding the disconnection of your utilities. In situations where a landlord’s account is set to be cut off because of nonpayment, the utility provider must give you notice at least 30 days before the charge is terminated.

You could also be requested to pay a portion of the past-due bill to the utility company, and the payment for that might be deducted from the rent you owe.

Protections against acts of retribution

Although a landlord has the authority to terminate the tenancy of a tenant at will or under a lease and increase the rent without giving a cause, the landlord is not allowed to do so in reaction to the tenant exercising their legal rights.

If the landlord tries to increase the rent, terminate your tenancy, or change your residence in any other way within six months of you contacting the Board of Health, joining a tenants’ organization, or exercising any other legal rights, the action taken by the landlord will be considered retaliation against you.

Your landlord will be responsible for shouldering the burden of proving that the termination of your lease was due to factors other than your exercising the rights granted to you.

Who is the largest employer in the state of Massachusetts?

Name of Employer	2021 EMPLOYEES¹
Harvard University	11,867

Is Massachusetts pro-gun?

Massachusetts is the state that puts the most money into different community violence prevention and response strategies, and it also has some of the tightest gun prohibitions in the nation.

Massachusetts and New Jersey have the lowest rates of gun ownership in the US at 14.7%, followed by Rhode Island at 14.8% and Hawaii at 14.9%.[6]

Is Massachusetts pro-life?

The highest proportion of inhabitants, 74%, advocated for the legalization of abortion in New Jersey in all or the vast majority of cases.

Therefore, Massachusetts is often regarded as a leading pro-choice state. Abortion is legal in Massachusetts until at least the 24th week of pregnancy, with certain exceptions allowing for the termination of pregnancies at later stages in specific circumstances.

What is Massachusett’s education system like?

It is generally agreed upon that Massachusetts has the best educational system in the United States. For instance, the state’s high school dropout rate is under two percent, and its students’ average scores in mathematics and reading rank first in the country.

Even more impressive is the country’s position towards the top of international education rankings. The state of Massachusetts was voted number one overall for having the most excellent educational system, as well as number one in the quality and safety subcategories.

Additionally, the state achieved first place in the subcategories for the highest reading and mathematics exam scores, respectively.

Weirdest laws in Massachusetts

It is against the law to bring a lion into a movie theater.
At a wake, attendees can only consume a maximum of three sandwiches.
It is against the law to transport gorillas in the rear seat of a vehicle.
Since 1659, Christmas has been prohibited in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You will be given a fine of five shillings if you choose to celebrate Christmas.
Bakeries are off-limits to roosters for sanitary reasons.
In Massachusetts, the minimum penalty for defacing a milk carton is a fine of $10.
It is against the law to provide alcohol to patients at a hospital.
It is inappropriate to engage in sexual activity when wearing false teeth.
If the red light is not flashing, drivers are not obligated by law to come to a complete stop at a red light.
Dogs are barred from riding in ambulances.
The making of clam chowder is not allowed to include the use of tomatoes in any capacity.
It is against the law to explode a nuclear bomb inside the municipal limits of Marlboro.
Additionally, it is against the law for anybody in Marlboro to buy, sell, or possess a squirt gun.
It is against the law to use bullets as cash.
Within municipal borders, using profane language is punishable by law.
Children are allowed to use tobacco products. However, it is against the law for them to buy their cigarettes.