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Capital City
Boston
Timezone
EST
(
GMT-5
)
Paid Leave
None
Income Tax
5%
Employer Tax
1.23% - 15.56%
Capital City
Boston
Timezone
EST
(
GMT-5
)
Paid Leave
None
Income Tax
5%
Employer Tax
1.23% - 15.56%
Massachusetts offers up to 26 weeks of paid leave for family or medical needs through a state program.
Employers with 11 or more employees must offer health insurance that meets minimum state requirements.
Known for its tech, education, and healthcare sectors, Massachusetts attracts a highly skilled workforce, particularly in Boston.
In Massachusetts, workers’ rights are protected by numerous employment and labor laws, at both the state and federal level. As a result, employees enjoy protection from discrimination based on age, religion, sexual orientation, gender, and race. Here are the key things you need to know about hiring in Massachusetts.
Employers in Massachusetts are required to have both a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a Massachusetts payroll tax number to hire employees and manage payroll. This enables them to comply with federal and state payroll tax obligations.
Massachusetts law does not set a specific standard for full-time employment hours, which are determined based on federal guidelines.
There is no legal definition of "full-time" employment in Massachusetts. However, full-time employees work 35-40 hours per week. Employers are required to provide a 30-minute break to employees who work more than six consecutive hours.
A probationary period is not required for private-sector employees.
Massachusetts law prohibits employers from discriminating against employees or applicants based on specific protected characteristics. These protections cover hiring, firing, promotions, and other employment terms. Protected categories include:
Employers must provide reasonable accommodations for employees’ religious practices and disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on business operations.
Employers are required to pay hourly, nonexempt employees on a weekly or biweekly basis. Salaried, exempt employees may be paid on a semi-monthly basis. With limited exceptions, only exempt employees may choose, if they prefer, to be paid monthly.
Employment taxes and statutory fees affect both your payroll and your employees’ paychecks in Massachusetts . Understanding the tax obligations for both employers and employees is crucial when operating in [state's] business landscape. This section explains how taxes and statutory fees affect payroll and individual earnings in Massachusetts. Note that employees may be liable for additional local taxes in certain cities and jurisdictions.
These contributions include:
These contributions include:
In Massachusetts, the deadline for filing individual state income tax returns aligns with the federal deadline, typically on April 15. If April 15 falls on a weekend or federal holiday, the deadline is extended to the next business day.
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Employers in Massachusetts must comply with specific benefit requirements, particularly around health insurance, sick leave, and workers’ compensation. While not all benefits are mandatory, certain benefits are required by state law.
As part of our global employment services, Playroll can create a globally compliant and competitive compensation package that can help you attract and retain top talent in the US.
Competitive benefits are essential for attracting and retaining top talent in Massachusetts. Offering the right package helps employees feel valued and motivated. Our benefits experts understand the local labor market's trends, requirements, and expectations, ensuring your employees feel valued and supported. Common benefits in our Massachusetts packages include:
Employers are not required by Massachusetts law to provide health insurance to employees, but they may face penalties under federal laws, such as the Affordable Care Act, if they do not offer coverage and have 50 or more full-time employees. For companies that offer health insurance, Massachusetts mandates that coverage meet minimum creditable coverage standards to avoid state penalties for employees.
Yes, part-time employees are entitled to certain benefits, including sick leave and workers’ compensation:
No, Massachusetts does not mandate that employers offer a 401(k) retirement plan. Employers may voluntarily offer additional retirement plans, such as 401(k)s or other options, to remain competitive in the job market.
Massachusetts law does not require employers to offer either paid or unpaid vacation leave. However, if an employer chooses to provide vacation as a benefit, it must treat accrued vacation as earned wages. This means that any accrued, unused vacation time must be paid out upon termination of employment. Employers must also adhere to their own written vacation policies and cannot arbitrarily deny employees the right to use accrued leave.
Below are the mandatory leave entitlements for full-time employees in Massachusetts.
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory | Pay Status | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Leave | Not mandatory; employer discretion | No | Depends on company policy | Not required by law; if offered, accrued vacation must be paid out upon termination |
| Maternity Leave | Up to 12 weeks under PFML | Yes | Paid | Employee must meet PFML eligibility: generally, 15 weeks of work and minimum earnings threshold |
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