Massachusetts Estate Tax
Figures verified October 17, 2026 against Massachusetts Department of Revenue · Update log
- State estate tax: Yes, $2,000,000 exemption
- Inheritance tax: No
- Federal: only above $15 million
Short answer
Yes, Massachusetts has an estate tax. For deaths in 2026, estates worth more than $2,000,000 owe Massachusetts tax at 0.8% to 16%. The executor files the return and pays from the estate, due 9 months after the date of death. Massachusetts has no inheritance tax, so heirs owe nothing on what they receive.
What to do, and by when
| Who files | Which form | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| The executor, if the estate is over $2,000,000 | Massachusetts M-706 | 9 months after the date of death |
| The executor, only if the estate is over $15 million or to keep the unused exemption for a surviving spouse | Federal Form 706 | 9 months after the date of death (an automatic 6-month extension to file is available on Form 4768) |
| The executor | Final Form 1040 for the person who died | April 15 of the year after death |
Quick estimate
Does this estate owe Massachusetts estate tax?
Enter the estate's value after debts, funeral and administration costs, and anything left to a spouse or charity. For deaths in 2026, the Massachusetts exemption is $2,000,000.
Quick facts: Massachusetts (2026)
| Estate Tax | Yes |
|---|---|
| Inheritance Tax | No |
| Estate Tax Exemption | $2,000,000 |
| Estate Tax Rates | 0.8% to 16% |
| Estate Tax Return | M-706, due 9 months after the date of death |
| Federal Exemption (2026) | $15 million |
| Tax Authority | Massachusetts Department of Revenue |
| Verified | 2026-10-17 |
Massachusetts estate tax
Massachusetts is one of 13 jurisdictions with its own estate tax. For deaths in 2026, it applies to estates worth more than $2,000,000, at rates of 0.8% to 16%. The tax is paid by the estate, not by the heirs.
The estate generally includes everything the person owned at death: the home, bank and brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, and life insurance they owned. Debts, funeral and administration costs, and gifts to a spouse or charity reduce the taxable amount. Nonresidents who owned real estate in Massachusetts can also owe Massachusetts tax on that property.
Because the Massachusetts threshold is well below the federal $15 million, many estates owe Massachusetts tax while owing no federal estate tax at all.
What's specific to Massachusetts
- Since 2023 the first $2 million is sheltered by a $99,600 credit, so there is no longer a cliff: only estates over $2 million owe, and only on the amount above it.
- A $2 million threshold catches many estates made up of a house and retirement savings.
- Massachusetts does not allow portability between spouses.
What executors file, and when
- Massachusetts estate tax return (M-706): due 9 months after the date of death, if the estate is over $2,000,000. File with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
- Federal Form 706: only if the estate is over $15 million, or to elect portability for a surviving spouse. Due 9 months after the date of death (an automatic 6-month extension to file is available on Form 4768).
- Final Form 1040 for the person who died: due April 15 of the following year.
- Form 1041 (estate income tax): if the estate has $600 or more of income.
Optional: get help filing
Get a flat-fee quote to file the Massachusetts estate tax return
Tell us a little about the estate and a CPA or Enrolled Agent who prepares Massachusetts M-706 returns will reply with a fixed price. Free, and no obligation.
Federal estate tax
For deaths in 2026, the federal estate tax applies only to estates over $15,000,000 per person, at rates up to 40%. The exemption was set by the July 4, 2025 tax law (Public Law 119-21, often called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act"; the IRS now calls it the Working Families Tax Cuts law), is permanent, and is indexed for inflation starting in 2027. A surviving spouse can add the unused exemption of the first spouse to die (portability) by filing Form 706. See the federal estate tax guide.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay inheritance tax in Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts has no inheritance tax, so heirs do not pay state tax on what they receive from a Massachusetts resident. If the person who died lived in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Kentucky, Maryland or Nebraska, or owned real estate there, that state's inheritance tax can apply even if you live in Massachusetts.
Does Massachusetts have an estate tax in 2026?
Yes. Massachusetts taxes estates over $2,000,000 for deaths in 2026, at rates of 0.8% to 16%. The executor files the return and pays the tax from the estate before assets are distributed.
Who must file a Massachusetts estate tax return, and when is it due?
The executor files if the estate exceeds the Massachusetts filing threshold ($2,000,000 for 2026 deaths). It is due 9 months after the date of death on Form M-706. Nonresidents who owned real estate or tangible property in Massachusetts may also have to file.
Can an estate owe Massachusetts estate tax but no federal estate tax?
Yes, and that is common. Massachusetts's threshold ($2,000,000) is far below the federal exemption of $15 million, so many estates owe state tax while owing nothing federally.
Is an inheritance taxable income?
No. Money or property you inherit is not federal taxable income. But withdrawals from an inherited traditional IRA or 401(k) are taxed as income, and if you sell inherited property you may owe capital gains tax on any increase in value after the date of death.
What is the federal estate tax exemption for 2026?
$15,000,000 per person for deaths in 2026, set by Public Law 119-21 (2025). It is permanent and indexed for inflation from 2027. A surviving spouse can add the unused exemption of the first spouse to die (portability) by filing Form 706.
Sources
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.