The interview format failed to recognize that the1099 R for a Texas government pension is exempt from Massachusetts income tax. Did I miss something?

[Lonsarnoff]

I learned that MA does not tax other states' government pensions if that other state doesn't tax theirs. Since TX doesn't have a state income tax, the TX pension is not taxed by MA. The interview process did not recognize the possibility of that exemption.

[DawnC]

Go back to the federal section and review your 1099-R.   After you enter the information from the form, you should see follow-up questions.  One of the questions asks where the distribution is from.   Check your entry on that screen. 

Massachusetts has special tax treatment for certain types of Form 1099-R distributions.  Since this info isn’t reported directly on Form 1099-R, we want to double check to help us make sure you get the best tax outcome on your state taxes.

Income from most private pensions or annuity plans is taxable in Massachusetts but many government pensions are exempt.  Withdrawals from a traditional IRA are taxable but the Massachusetts taxable amount may be different from the federal taxable amount.

Learn more about the rules for the types of pension or retirement income plans which you receive:

• Government pensions and retirement plans
• Other states' tax treatment of out-of-state government pension
• Non-government pensions and retirement plans