Massachusetts Stimulus Check: What To Know in 2024

Massachusetts residents waiting for new stimulus updates for 2024 should know that there are no new direct payments coming this year.

While you won’t be getting a Massachusetts stimulus check in 2024, you can still qualify for tax credits that can lower your income tax liability to get a larger tax refund. If you’re short of cash due to a financial hardship, there are also a number of government programs you can take advantage of. Read on to learn more about tax credits available in Massachusetts.

Is There a Massachusetts Stimulus Check in 2024?

There are no new Massachusetts stimulus checks in 2024. In 2023, three million taxpayers in Massachusetts received a tax rebate under Chapter 62F. However, the state doesn’t have enough cash to trigger refunds under that law.

There are no other stimulus packages through which state residents can receive Massachusetts checks in 2024.

Massachusetts Stimulus Check 2024

While you won’t be getting any Massachusetts stimulus checks in 2024 under Chapter 62F or any other programs, you may still qualify for the state’s tax credits when you file your state tax returns for 2023.

Massachusetts doesn’t have a state-level Child Tax Credit (CTC) or a Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC). However, it does have a state-level Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). You may qualify for this fully refundable tax credit if you’re eligible for the federal EITC.

How do Massachusetts Stimulus Checks Work?

Tax credits are designed to directly reduce the amount of taxes you owe. This means that while you won’t get a direct check from the government, you may still get your money through a larger tax refund.

“Tax credits, as opposed to tax deductions, directly reduce your income tax payable on a dollar-for-dollar basis,” explains Brad Reichert, the founder and managing director of Reichert Asset Management.

“For example, if you owe $1,000 in state income tax for the year, a $400 tax credit means you’ll have to make a payment to your state’s Department of Revenue for only $600 instead of $1,000 because the tax credit directly offsets your income taxes due,” adds Reichert. 

These refunds provide tax relief to eligible residents with low and moderate income but are not technically considered stimulus programs. They do have the same effect, though, in that they add money to taxpayers’ pockets in pursuit of a specific fiscal objective the state would like to achieve.  The credit will be reflected in your state income tax return if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Who Is Eligible for Massachusetts’s Stimulus Checks?

You may qualify for the Massachusetts Earned Income Tax Credit if you’re eligible for the federal EITC. However, you must meet these additional qualification criteria:

• You had a qualifying child during the 2023 tax year.
• If you didn’t have a qualifying child during the fiscal year, you must have lived in the U.S. for at least half of the year, you shouldn’t be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return, and you and your spouse must be between the ages of 25 and 65.
• You must be a Massachusetts resident for at least part of the taxable year
• You must have sufficient income from a source that requires you to file a Massachusetts state income tax return for 2023
• You, your spouse, and qualifying child must have a valid Social Security Number
• Your adjusted gross income (AGI) should be within the specified limits
• You must have earned income in the tax year

How Much Do You Receive and When

Your maximum state EITC will depend on a number of factors, such as your filing status, number of qualifying children, and your adjusted gross income. Massachusetts’s EITC is 40% of the federal credit you qualify for when you file your federal income tax starting January 1, 2023.

Here’s a look at how much you can qualify for if you’re filing as a head of household/single, married filing separately, or qualifying widow(er):

• $240- if you have no qualifying children and your AGI doesn’t exceed $17,640
• $1,598- if you have one qualifying child and your AGI doesn’t exceed $46,560
• $2,642- if you have two qualifying children and your AGI doesn’t exceed $52,918
• $2,972- if you have three or more qualifying children and your AGI doesn’t exceed $56,838

Here’s how much you can qualify for if you’re married and filing jointly:

• $240- if you have no qualifying children and your AGI doesn’t exceed $24,210
• $1,598- if you have one qualifying child and your AGI doesn’t exceed $53,120
• $2,642- if you have two qualifying children and your AGI doesn’t exceed $59,478
• $2,972- if you have three or more qualifying children and your AGI doesn’t exceed $63,398

How To Track the Status of Massachusetts’s Stimulus Checks

Even if you qualify for the tax credits, you won’t be receiving a direct check from the government, so you can’t track the status of your Massachusetts stimulus check.

Your tax credit will be reflected on your state tax return. If your taxable income is low and you qualify for a refund, you’ll receive it as a paper check or in your bank account as a direct deposit. It may take four to six weeks for the Department of Revenue to issue refunds for e-filed returns and eight to ten weeks for filers with paper returns.

You can check the status of your tax refund through the online MassTaxConnect tool.

How To Apply for Massachusetts’s Stimulus Checks

You can apply for the state EITC by filing your state personal income tax returns. You don’t need to take any other action to apply for the tax credit. Seek the help of a tax professional to ensure you’re taking full advantage of all the federal and state tax credits you qualify for.

If you’re a moderate or low-income individual, you may also qualify for the IRS’s free tax help through programs like Free File, VITA, and TCE.

Seek Financial Assistance in Massachusetts

While there are no Massachusetts stimulus checks coming in 2024, there are other options available if you need financial assistance. Americans facing hardship can take advantage of financial assistance programs and benefits for low-income families, such as food and groceries, healthcare, housing, and other resources.

You may also want to get in touch with local nonprofit organizations to see if they offer assistance in other forms. Additionally, you can check Massachusetts debt relief programs that can help you pay off your unsecured debts.

If you’re looking for information about other states, visit our Connecticut stimulus checks, Vermont stimulus checks, and New Hampshire stimulus checks articles.