• Money
    • Budget
    • Shop
    • Travel
    • Stories
  • Career
    • Advice
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Freelance
    • Small Business
  • Investing
    • General
    • IRA + 401K
    • Stocks + Bonds
    • Retirement Planning
    • Estate
  • The Basics
    • Student Loans
    • Credit Cards
    • Debt
    • Taxes
    • More
  1. Home
  2. The Basics
  3. Taxes
  4. Tax Law if You Work in Rhode Island but Live in Massachusetts

Tax Law if You Work in Rhode Island but Live in Massachusetts

By: Nan East
  • Share
  • Share on Facebook

Thousands of Massachusetts residents earn wages in Rhode Island, meaning they're subject to the tax laws of both states. If you live in Massachusetts but commute to a job in Rhode Island, you don't have to pay income taxes on the same earnings to both states -- but you may need to file tax returns in both. Massachusetts allows a credit for income taxes that its residents pay to other states.

...
You may need to file two state tax returns, as well as a federal return, if you live in Massachusetts and work in Rhode Island.

States' Tax Rates

Massachusetts taxes wages at a single rate, which was 5.2 percent as of 2014. Rhode Island has a progressive income tax with three "brackets" that charge taxpayers higher rates as their income rises. As of 2014, the tax rates were 3.75 percent for taxable income up to $59,600, 4.75 percent on taxable income from $59,601 to $135,500, and 5.99 percent on taxable income above $135,500. The rates and income thresholds are the same for single and joint tax filers.

Withholding and Estimated Payments

Rhode Island law requires employers to withhold state income taxes from all wages paid for work performed in the state. If your workplace is in Rhode Island, your employer won't withhold Massachusetts income taxes from your paychecks. But don't assume that this means you don't owe any Massachusetts tax, or that you can wait to figure it out when you file your tax return. To avoid penalties, Massachusetts taxpayers must file quarterly estimated tax payments if they'll owe more than $400 in taxes after credits and withholding.

Video of the Day

State Tax Returns

Residents of Massachusetts must file income tax returns if their gross income is more than $8,000, even if they don't owe any taxes. Massachusetts gross income includes income earned elsewhere. You need to file income tax returns in both states to claim a credit from Massachusetts for state income taxes paid to Rhode Island. In Rhode Island, you should file a nonresident tax return. In Massachusetts, file a resident tax return.

Credit

Massachusetts residents must fill out a worksheet to claim a credit for income taxes they paid to Rhode Island. The worksheet compares the Massachusetts tax on the amount of income you earned in Rhode Island to the tax you actually paid to Rhode Island. The credit you'll receive is the smaller of those two numbers. In other words, if you paid more to Rhode Island than you would have paid to Massachusetts, you won't get a credit for the additional Rhode Island tax. If you paid less to Rhode Island than you would have paid in Massachusetts, you may owe additional tax on that income to Massachusetts.

Show Comments

Related Articles

Do I Have to Pay Tax to Both States If I Live in Indiana & Work in Illinois?

Do I Have to Pay Tax to Both States If I Live in Indiana & Work in Illinois?

The Basics
Taxes
By: Miranda Morley
What Taxes Do You Pay If You Live in New York City & Work in New Jersey?

What Taxes Do You Pay If You Live in New York City & Work in New Jersey?

The Basics
Taxes
By: Tom Streissguth

PARTNER CONTENT

4 Habits That Helped Me Stop Scraping By

4 Habits That Helped Me Stop Scraping By

If I Live in Tennessee & Work in Kentucky, Who Do I Pay Taxes To?

If I Live in Tennessee & Work in Kentucky, Who Do I Pay Taxes To?

The Basics
Taxes
By: Selena Robinson
How to File Taxes if You Live in Massachusetts But Work in Connecticut

How to File Taxes if You Live in Massachusetts But Work in Connecticut

The Basics
Taxes
By: Alia Nikolakopulos
Taxes If I Work in One State and Live in Another

Taxes If I Work in One State and Live in Another

The Basics
Taxes
By: Jerusha Hardman

Get Weekly Savings& Finance Tips.

  • Money
  • Career
  • Investing
  • The Basics
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright Policy
© 2019 Leaf Group Ltd. Leaf Group Media

Get Weekly Savings
& Finance Tips.

Money Made Easier.

Please enter a valid email.