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How to Enter Massachusetts Employee Tax Info

Background

When you pay employees in Massachusetts, you will need to set up their tax allowances as they indicated on their tax withholding form. For more information and complete instructions, see Form M-4 called the Massachusetts Employee’s Withholding Exemption Certificate.

How To Enter Massachusetts Employee Taxes

  1. Go to Payroll > Employees > Employee List > Click the Employee Name > Tax Info > State Withholding section.
  2. Click Edit.
  3. Patriot field: Full Time Student:  If box D is checked on Form M-4, (the employee is a full-time student engaged in seasonal, part-time, or temporary employment, and their annual estimated income is less than $8000), choose Yes.
  4. Patriot field: Head of Household:  If box A of Form M-4 is checked, (employee will file as head of household on their state income tax return), choose Yes.
  5. Patriot field: Personal Blindness: If box B of Form M-4 is checked, (personal blindness), choose Yes.
  6. Patriot field: Spouse Blindness: If box C of Form M-4 is checked, (spouse is blind), choose Yes.
  7. Patriot field: Total Allowances: Enter the number on Line 4 Form M-4. This is the total number of exemptions and will be the sum of Lines 1, 2, and 3.
  8. Patriot field: Exemption from Withholding
    • Mark this only if the employee is legally exempt from Indiana withholding.
    • They must meet strict state criteria — for example, no Indiana tax liability last year and none expected this year.
    • Most employees are not exempt.
  9. Patriot field: State Additional Withholding Enter the number on Line 5 of the Form M-4 if the employee wants an additional amount withheld each pay, otherwise enter zero.

 

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