Please note: This is last year’s tax season blog. Some material may be out of date. Read our 2016 tax season blog for current forms and information.

Tax season is upon us, and that can mean stress for Massachusetts residents and workers who don’t have the documents they need to file returns and payments by the April 15, 2015 deadline.

While the Department of Revenue (DOR) encourages online filing of Massachusetts state income taxes with WebFile for Income, you can make filing a paper return as easy as possible by having the right forms and information at your fingertips.

WebFile for Income is only available to full-year residents. Part-year residents and non-residents can file electronically using commercial software or a professional tax preparer.

Here are the most commonly used Massachusetts personal income tax forms:

• Schedule HC (Health Care Information Form) ­– Provides proof of health care coverage. DOR also has Schedule HC instructions and worksheets.
• Form 1 (Massachusetts Resident Income Tax Return) – Required for all full-time state residents. DOR offers Form 1 instructions for taxpayers.
• Form 1-NR/PY (Massachusetts Nonresident or Part-Year Resident Income Tax Return) – For non-residents or those who only reside in Massachusetts part time.
• Form 2 (Fiduciary Income Tax Return) – Required for trustees, administrators, executors, guardians, conservators, receivers of a trust or estate, or trustees in a non-corporate bankruptcy who received more than $100 in taxable income.
• Schedules X and Y – Covers additional income that is not included on a W-2 or 1099. Also covers deductions such as business-related expenses if needed.
• Schedule B – For reporting capital gains and losses, as well as income from interest and dividends.
• Schedule E-1 (Rental Real Estate and Royalty Income and Loss) – Used for reporting any income or losses from real estate that taxpayers rent out, as well as royalty income.
• Schedule CB (Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit) – Individuals filing as single, head of household, or married filing jointly who turned 65 before January 1, 2015, are eligible for this credit.
• Form MVU-26 (Affidavit in Support of a Claim for Exemption from Sales or Use Tax for a Motor Vehicle Transferred Within a Family) – Tax form for an exemption of sales and use tax when a motor vehicle is transferred within a family unit.
• Form MVU-27 (Affidavit in Support of a Claim for Exemption from Sales or Use Tax for a Motor Vehicle Transferred by Intestacy, Will or Otherwise) – Used for exemptions from sales and use tax when a vehicle is transferred by intestacy, will, or otherwise to a legatee, heir, or other beneficiary.
• Form MVU-29 (Affidavit in Support of a Claim for Exemption from Sales or Use Tax for a Motor Vehicle Purchased Outside of Massachusetts) – Provides an exemption on sales and use tax on motor vehicles purchased outside of Massachusetts.
• Form CA-6 (Application for Abatement/Amendment) – For those who have already filed their Massachusetts state income tax forms but need to make changes.

Additional forms and information related to filing taxes for a corporation, insurance company, partnership, financial institution, or other entity can be found on DOR’s Tax Forms page.

Visit the DOR website, call the department’s customer service line at (617) 887-6367, or call the toll-free line at (800) 392-6089 for more information and assistance.

Filing and Extensions

If taxpayers are unable to file returns by the due date (April 15, 2015), they can request an automatic six-month extension for filing.

Those not filing extensions electronically must file one of the following tax forms to request an extension:

• Form M-4868 (Application for Automatic Six-Month Extension of Time to File) – Applicable for most taxpayers (those who use Form 1 or Form NR/PY).

• Form M-8736 (Application for Extension of Time to File Fiduciary or Partnership Return) – Used by taxpayers who file Forms, 2, 3, and 3M.

Massachusetts personal income tax extension requests must be filed electronically if:

• Payment is not included with the extension; or
• A payment of $5,000 or more is included with the extension and a return for the Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2013 period is being filed.

Paper Return Mailing Addresses

For refunds: Massachusetts Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 7000, Boston, MA 02204

For payments: Massachusetts Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 7003, Boston, MA 02204

It’s easier to file taxes when you have the right forms at hand and don’t leave it until the last minute. Get a head start by organizing your financial documents as early as possible and submit forms well before the April 15 deadline.

How are you planning to file your taxes this year — electronically or by mail? Let us know by commenting below, or tweet us @MassGov.

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