STATE TAX COMPARISON · TAX YEAR 2026
Rhode Island vs Massachusetts taxes in 2026
Massachusetts taxes income at a flat 5%, plus 4% over $1,107,750, while Rhode Island taxes it at graduated rates from 3.75% to 5.99%. Single filers keep more in Rhode Island at every income shown: $922 more at $50,000 and $1,323 at $250,000. A married couple with two children keeps more in Rhode Island at every income shown: $1,613 more at $50,000, rising to $2,617 at $250,000.
Your estimate
- You keep more in Rhode Island
- $1,234.37 a year
- Rhode Island income tax
- $2,195.63
- Massachusetts income tax
- $3,430.00
- Take-home in Rhode Island
- $59,396.87
- Take-home in Massachusetts
- $58,162.50
Take-home pay in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Take-home pay is wages minus state income tax, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. Property, sales and other taxes are not included.
| Rhode Island | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $922 more take-home in Rhode Island | ||
| State income tax | $1,258 | $2,180 |
| Take-home pay | $41,097 | $40,175 |
| $75,000 in wages: $1,234 more take-home in Rhode Island | ||
| State income tax | $2,196 | $3,430 |
| Take-home pay | $59,397 | $58,163 |
| $100,000 in wages: $1,532 more take-home in Rhode Island | ||
| State income tax | $3,148 | $4,680 |
| Take-home pay | $76,032 | $74,500 |
| $150,000 in wages: $1,657 more take-home in Rhode Island | ||
| State income tax | $5,523 | $7,180 |
| Take-home pay | $108,268 | $106,611 |
| $250,000 in wages: $1,323 more take-home in Rhode Island | ||
| State income tax | $10,857 | $12,180 |
| Take-home pay | $172,325 | $171,002 |
| Rhode Island | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $1,613 more take-home in Rhode Island | ||
| State income tax | $248 | $1,860 |
| Take-home pay | $48,548 | $46,935 |
| $75,000 in wages: $1,925 more take-home in Rhode Island | ||
| State income tax | $1,185 | $3,110 |
| Take-home pay | $67,838 | $65,913 |
| $100,000 in wages: $2,238 more take-home in Rhode Island | ||
| State income tax | $2,123 | $4,360 |
| Take-home pay | $86,988 | $84,750 |
| $150,000 in wages: $2,617 more take-home in Rhode Island | ||
| State income tax | $4,243 | $6,860 |
| Take-home pay | $123,342 | $120,725 |
| $250,000 in wages: $2,617 more take-home in Rhode Island | ||
| State income tax | $9,243 | $11,860 |
| Take-home pay | $192,625 | $190,008 |
Rates and deductions
| Rhode Island | Massachusetts | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | 3.75% to 5.99% | 5% flat, plus 4% over $1,107,750 |
| Standard deduction | $11,200 single, $22,400 joint, shrinking above $261,000 of income | None |
| Personal exemption | $5,250 single, $10,500 joint, shrinking above $261,000 of income | $4,400 single, $8,800 joint |
Retirement and Social Security
Does Rhode Island tax Social Security?
Partly. Rhode Island subtracts all taxable benefits for each person at full retirement age when federal AGI is under $107,000 (latest published, 2025), or $133,750 (latest published, 2025) on a joint return, and none above the limit.
Rhode Island Social Security tax rules
Does Rhode Island tax retirement income?
Partly. Rhode Island subtracts up to $50,000 per person of pension and 401(k) income at full retirement age, under the same income limit as Social Security, and taxes IRA withdrawals.
Rhode Island retirement income tax for 2026
Does Massachusetts tax Social Security?
No. Massachusetts does not tax Social Security benefits.
Massachusetts Social Security tax rules
Does Massachusetts tax retirement income?
Yes. Massachusetts taxes private pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals, but not its own public pensions, federal pensions or military retirement.