Learn about the Social Security (FICA) and Medicare Deduction

Massachusetts gross income doesn’t include Social Security benefits. Under I.R.C. § 86, these benefits may be included in federal gross income depending on income thresholds.

Taxpayers may claim a deduction for the amount contributed (up to a maximum of $2,000) in the tax year to:

• FICA or a Railroad Retirement Plan
• U.S. or Massachusetts Retirement fund

If married filing joint, each spouse may claim up to $2,000 of his or her own contributions. Payment amounts may not be combined or transferred from one spouse to the other.

Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)

FICA Tax is an amount paid by individuals during the period in which they earn wages for purposes of providing them with benefits when they retire. FICA tax is also known as the Social Security tax.

Social Security benefits are made available to retired workers, their spouses and their dependents, as well as disabled workers, their spouses, and their dependents.

Specifically, this deduction is allowed for the following:

• Taxes paid to the U.S. under the provisions of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), Social Security
• Taxes paid to the U.S. under the provisions of the Federal Railroad Retirement Act, Tier I and II
• Contributions to a United States annuity, pension endowment or retirement fund
• Contributions to a Massachusetts state, city, town, county and other political subdivision annuity, pension endowment or retirement fund.

Medicare

Medicare tax withheld from wages should be added to the FICA or U.S. or Massachusetts pension contribution for this deduction, the amount not to exceed $2,000.

Medicare premiums deducted from Social Security benefits or retirement payments are not an allowable deduction since the benefits aren’t included in gross income.

For self-employed individuals

Self-employed individuals may deduct the employment tax paid during the taxable year up to a maximum of $2,000.

Please note that, for federal purposes, the self-employment tax paid is calculated on U.S. Form SE.

The federal deduction on U.S. Form 1040 is limited to one-half of self-employment tax paid. However, the Massachusetts deduction is based on the full amount of self-employment tax paid but limited to the maximum of $2,000.

Income

Social Security Benefits aren’t included in Massachusetts gross income

Deduction

• Amount paid to Social Security, Medicare, R.R., add amounts from Form W-2, lines 4 and 6; Amount paid to U.S. or Massachusetts retirement, use amount from Form W-2, Line 14c.
  • Enter the amount, but not more than $2,000 each, on either Mass Form 1, Lines 11a and 11b or Form 1-NR/PY, Lines 15a and 15b.
• Medicare premiums deducted from Social Security benefits or retirement payments aren’t an allowable deduction since the benefits are not included in gross income.
• Nonresidents and part-year residents may claim this deduction only if it is directly related to taxable income reported on Form 1-NR/PY.

• Copy of U.S. Form(s) W-2 to substantiate amounts paid
• Copy of U.S. Schedule SE, Self-Employment Tax

Massachusetts References

• M.G.L. Chapter 62, Sections 2(a)(1)(F), 2(a)(2)(H); 3B(a)(3) and (4)

Federal References

• I.R.C. §§ 86; 164(f)

Page updated: March 11, 2020