How to File Massachusetts Sales Tax Online

Filing your Massachusetts sales tax return is simple with the state’s online system. You can file and pay directly through the MassTaxConnect (MTC) website, as long as your business is registered to collect and remit sales tax.

This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of filing online so you can submit returns on time, avoid penalties, and stay compliant with Massachusetts’s sales tax rules.

What You Need Before Filing

Before filing your sales tax return, you must prepare specific records to ensure your report is accurate. Here are the standard documents required to file a sales tax return in Massachusetts:

• Massachusetts Taxpayer Account (Sales and Use Tax Permit) – To file online using MassTaxConnect, you’re required to have a Massachusetts Sales and Use Tax Permit.
  After your registration with the DOR is approved, you will have created a username and password to access your MassTaxConnect account during the registration process. Once logged in, you can also view your Sales and Use Tax Permit details online.
• MassTaxConnect Account Log-in Details – The primary way to file your Massachusetts sales tax return online is by logging onto your MassTaxConnect account. To access the site, ensure you have your log-in credentials ready (e.g., your username and password).
  Note that your account credentials are separate from the authentication code you’ll receive upon registering your business.
• Total Sales – Gather your total revenue during the filing period. This includes all sales, whether they’re taxable or not. Even if you currently have no sales records, you’re still required to file a return.
• Taxable Sales – Compile the total taxable sales your business made within the filing period. You’ll need this data to determine how much sales tax you owe and must pay for the filing period.
• Taxable Purchases – Verify the total amount of taxable purchases your business spent within the filing period. This applies to both in-state and out-of-state transactions.
• Use Tax Liability – Be prepared to report any use tax owed. Use tax is due on taxable items purchased for business use where sales tax was not collected by the seller.
• Bank Account and Routing Number – Select which bank account you want to use for paying the due taxes in your report. Prepare your bank details and routing number ahead of time.
• Filing Frequency Schedule – The state assigns a specific due date for every registered business. To find out your designated schedule, you can check your MassTaxConnect account.

Step-by-Step: How to File Massachusetts Sales Tax Online

The online filing process is a logical progression of data entry and verification. While the exact screen layouts may eventually evolve with a new e-filing platform, the core workflow remains constant.

Step 1. Go to the state sales tax portal website – MassTaxConnect.

Step 2. Enter your Account Credentials: Log in using your username and password. Check your shared email/phone number and input OTP, when applicable.

Step 3. Prepare your Ecommerce Sales Tax Data (e.g., Taxes Report from Shopify). Step 4. On the dashboard, scroll to the “Sales Tax” section, then click on “File Now”. Step 5. On the actual tax return form, enter the gross sales based on your Ecommerce Sales Tax Report. After that, the other necessary fields will automatically compute. Now, click Next on the bottom right. Step 6. Choose to make a payment. Enter payment information and other details, and then click Next. Step 7. Review the return and payment summaries. Then, click Submit. Step 8. Keep a copy of the return and/or payment confirmation for your records. This serves as proof of successful submission. Step 9. Save the confirmation in your preferred location for recordkeeping purposes. Keeping online records using Google Drive is a common option.

Helpful tip: If the filing process is interrupted by internet issues, website downtime, or other disruptions. You can always click on “Save and Submit Later” to avoid losing your progress.

Due Dates

In Massachusetts, your filing schedule and due dates generally change depending on your monthly collected sales tax. For guidance, refer to the table below.

FREQUENCY	REQUIREMENT	REPORTING PERIOD	DUE DATE
Monthly	Annual sales tax collections are more than $1201	Monthly	The 30th day following the month represented by the return
Quarterly	Annual sales tax collections are between $101 and $1200	January – March April – June July – September October – December	The 30th day following the quarter represented by the return
Annually	Annual sales tax collection is $100 or less	January 1 – December 31	Due annually on or before the 30th day of January
Advanced Payments	The previous calendar year’s cumulative sales tax liability is $150,000 or more	Monthly	An advance payment is required by the 25th of the month.

Advanced Payments: This payment must be either the tax collected from the 1st through the 21st of the month, OR at least 80% of the prior month’s total liability. Any remaining amount is due with the full return on the 30th day after the monthly filing period. with the return on the 30th day after the monthly filing period.

NOTE: If the 20th day falls on weekends or legal holidays, the due date is moved to the following business day.

For more information about filing schedule regulations in Massachusetts, read 830 CMR 62C.16.2 and 830 CMR 62C.16B.1.

Timely Filing Discount

Some states give businesses a discount for collecting, filing, and remitting sales tax on time. Currently, Massachusetts does not offer any timely filing discount. 

Filing Amended Returns

In case you need to correct a previously submitted return, you can use the MassTaxConnect website’s “Amend” feature. For most businesses, amended sales and use tax returns must be filed electronically via MassTaxConnect.

The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) has expanded its electronic filing and payment mandate for sales and use tax to most taxpayers. Any exceptions to this rule are rare and generally require a specific waiver from the Commissioner.

Refunds

In case you overpaid your taxes on your return, the Massachusetts DOR gives you two options: 

1. Request a direct refund 
2. Claim the credit for your next year’s estimated tax

Generally, most claimed refunds on an original return are automatically issued by the DOR. If you filed your return electronically, the refund timeframe is typically 4-6 weeks. However, paper returns may take longer, which is 8-10 weeks. In case you have other due taxes or liabilities, your overpayment may be applied to those instead.

Filing Zero Returns in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, you’re required to file a return electronically even if you have no sales and use tax to report. To file a zero return, you have to write “0” (zero) in the relevant fields of your sales tax return.

Other Filing Methods in Massachusetts

If you’re having difficulties filing your Massachusetts sales tax return online, you can try other options.

• File with TaxHero – Let expert accountants in TaxHero prepare your sales tax returns for you. We’ll take everything off your hands so that you can spend your time more efficiently managing your business.
• File by Mail – For most businesses, filing by paper is not permitted. The Massachusetts Department of Revenue (DOR) requires almost all sales and use tax returns to be filed electronically through MassTaxConnect, regardless of the tax liability.
  If you are granted a specific waiver by the DOR to file on paper, you must download the most recent Form ST-9 from the MassGov website. Complete all the required fields, and then mail it to the address provided on the form. Returns filed by mail must be postmarked on or before the due date.
  For additional paper filing guidance, refer to the official instructions provided by the DOR.

NOTE: The DOR strongly encourages all taxpayers to use the MassTaxConnect online portal as it is the fastest, most accurate, and most secure method for filing and payment.

Let TaxHero Manage Your Massachusetts Sales Tax Returns

TaxHero doesn’t just handle your Massachusetts sales tax return; we manage filings across every state where your business has nexus, ensuring each return is filed accurately and on time at the frequency required.

This means you stay compliant nationwide without having to track multiple rules and deadlines yourself.

Don’t wait until the next deadline, schedule your demo today!