Massachusetts § 25 - Individuals, fiduciaries and estates subject to tax

Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 25 — Individuals, fiduciaries and estates subject to tax, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 25. Individuals, fiduciaries and estates subject to tax

Section 25. (a) Every individual who while an inhabitant of the commonwealth, and every executor, administrator, trustee or other fiduciary who while such an inhabitant or while acting under an appointment derived from a court in the commonwealth has received any income taxable under this chapter, and the estate of every deceased inhabitant of the commonwealth, shall be subject to the taxes imposed by this chapter.

(b) Any individual (i) who dies while in active service as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States and serving in a combat zone or while a military or civilian employee of the United States as a result of terroristic or military action; and (ii) who otherwise qualifies under the provisions of section 692 of the Internal Revenue Code, shall not be subject to taxation under this chapter to the same extent as that individual is exempt from federal income taxation under said section.

(c)(1) In the case of a specified terrorist victim, any tax imposed by this chapter shall not apply with respect to the taxable year in which falls the date of death, and with respect to any prior taxable year in the period beginning with the last taxable year ending before the taxable year in which the wounds, injury, or illness referred to in paragraph (3) were incurred.

(2) If, but for this paragraph, the amount of tax not imposed by paragraph (1) with respect to a specified terrorist victim is less than $3,000, then such victim shall be treated as having made a payment against the tax imposed by this chapter for such victim's last taxable year in an amount equal to the excess of $3,000 over the amount of tax not so imposed.

(3) Subject to such rules as the commissioner may prescribe, paragraph (1) shall not apply to the amount of any tax imposed by this chapter which would be computed by only taking into account the items of income, gain, or other amounts attributable to (i) deferred compensation which would have been payable after death if the individual had died other than as a specified terrorist victim, or (ii) amounts payable in the taxable year which would not have been payable in such taxable year but for an action taken after September 11, 2001.

(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term ''specified terrorist victim'' means any decedent (i) who dies as a result of wounds or injury incurred as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States on April 19, 1995, or September 11, 2001, or (ii) who dies as a result of illness incurred as a result of an attack involving anthrax occurring on or after September 11, 2001 and before January 1, 2002. Such term shall not include any individual identified by the attorney general of the United States to have been a participant or conspirator in any such attack or representative of such an individual.

Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 25

What does Massachusetts General Laws § 25 cover?

Section 25 ("Individuals, fiduciaries and estates subject to tax") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Massachusetts § 25?

A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 25" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.

How does Massachusetts § 25 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.