What does the Massachusetts Tax Mean For PG&E Millionaires?

For PG&E employees nearing Retirement, understanding Massachusetts' new Millionaires tax could help avoid unwanted Tax consequences from financial transactions such as property sales that would push them over the USD 1 million income threshold, says [Advisor Name], of the Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

As PG&E employees navigate the changing tax landscape in Massachusetts, major transactions such as the sale of assets should not leave them with a higher tax bill,' says [Advisor Name], of the Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group.

In this article we will discuss:

1. Recent changes in Massachusetts tax structure reflect recent financial and legislative developments.

2. Massachusetts voters in November 2016 approved a constitutional amendment levying 4% on incomes over USD 1 million. This surtax on top of the 5% fixed rate means an effective 9% tax on incomes over seven figures.

3. That legislative amendment became effective at the beginning of this year.

In anticipation of that amendment's revenue stream, incumbent governor Maura Healey has set aside USD 1 billion from this tax already. That big sum is allocated to help with education and transportation projects, as provided in the budget she approved last week.

The financial advisory community nevertheless makes an important observation. Exceptions to the USD 1 million threshold could temporarily lift a subset of taxpayers following some significant financial dealings. PG&E employees who sell properties or enterprises, for example, may temporarily be in the surtax bracket. Leader of Darrow Wealth Management Kristin McKenna said the scope of this surtax was perhaps not entirely understood by voters. It includes high-value transactions like property sales that might mistake some for millionaires, she said.

In spite of these factors, the bigger picture suggests that the surtax may have modest effects. This tax will affect only about 0.6% of Massachusetts households in any given year - or about 21,000 taxpayers - according to a Tufts study.

PG&E employees need to understand how regional tax policies affect financial planning when they enter retirement. And many PG&E retirees live in Massachusetts, according to a 2022 report from the National Association of Retirement Plan Participants (NARPP). Understanding the state's surtax helps many of these people afford a comfortable retirement - they probably have assets, investments or stock options from their former employers. Particularly, they may be subject to the Massachusetts Millionaires Tax if their annual income exceeds USD 1 million through liquidation or other financial activities.

But financial experts differ on that. The majority remains unaffected,' said Chris Chen of Insight Financial Strategists. Still, projections are that by then 10% to 20% of the population would be affected,' he said.

Clear View Wealth Advisors' Steve Stanganelli has a different perspective. He described a scenario where he advised a client to alter a Roth conversion strategy in anticipation of a tax change. Stanganelli said perhaps the magnitude of the tax - especially for property sellers - was overstated. But he did not specify when a homeowner would be liable, for example if a low basis property appreciates significantly. Good news: Some capital gains from real estate sales in the state are exempt from tax.

Stanganelli stresses the importance of tax and financial planners in such circumstances and recommends consulting specialists before making major financial decisions such as property sales.

Financial planning sees this tax amendment as an opportunity. Advisors can use tax-efficient portfolio management or more complex techniques like trust utilization. So Edward Jastrem of Heritage Financial calls this a mix of estate and income-tax planning that will require bespoke solutions for each client.

An intriguing state-specific strategy emerged. The state of Massachusetts lets taxpayers filing joint federal returns file separately. Hence, couples with combined incomes approaching USD 1 million could snaffle the surtax.

But those alterations always have wider implications for PG&E retirees. Some financial experts say the surtax may push high-net-worth investors to leave for more tax-friendly states like New Hampshire or Florida.

No wonder then that opinions on this surcharge vary. Some, like Stanganelli, an Amesbury city council member, back it because it could fund local services, others have reservations. The trepidation stems from fears such fiscal policies would keep business magnates and aspiring entrepreneurs from settling in Massachusetts.

Yet others—including Chen—say even with this surtax, Massachusetts still has a competitive tax burden compared to states like California and New York.

Final Thoughts - while the Massachusetts Millionaires Tax is certainly a significant legislative initiative, the overall economic, business and individual wealth management implications are still to be fully assessed.

The new Massachusetts Millionaires Tax is like navigating the Cape Cod Canal. PG&E retirees and those nearing retirement need to understand this tax reform like sailors need to know tide schedules and channel widths. As a momentary misjudgment could run a ship aground in the canal, unexpected financial transactions such as the sale of property or the liquidation of assets could temporarily increase an individual's income to USD 1 million and pose tax risks. Still, with a little direction from an experienced captain on board, you can plot your course to profit from the financial tides and have a safe passage.

Added Fact:

A note to PG&E millionaires: The new surtax on incomes exceeding USD 1 million is now extended to certain capital gains from property sales in Massachusetts. This means highly-net-worth people who are involved in real estate transactions should monitor their income carefully lest they fall into the surtax bracket due to property sales. It highlights the need for careful financial planning and advice from tax and financial professionals when making major financial decisions such as purchasing a home or adjusting retirement and wealth management plans to the changing tax landscape in Massachusetts.

Added Analogy:

The new tax landscape in Massachusetts is like sailing in unpredictable waters—like the Cape Cod Canal. It's like being the captains of their financial ships for PG&E Millionaires, so knowing the Massachusetts Millionaires Tax is important for your voyage. As a skilled captain would study tide schedules and channel widths to avoid grounding their ship, high-net-worth individuals should also be wary of their income during major financial transactions like property sales to avoid unintended tax consequences. Like a canal navigator, they need help navigating this tax reform and making sound decisions about retirement and wealth management. As an experienced captain at the helm ensures a successful voyage, similarly sound financial planning and specialized advice can create safe financial seas and a harbor in Massachusetts.

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Sources:

1. Massachusetts Department of Revenue. '4% Surtax on Taxable Income Over $1,000,000.' Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 6 Feb. 2025,  www.mass.gov/info-details/4-surtax-on-taxable-income-over-1000000 .

2. MassBudget. 'Even Among Retirees with High Wealth, Few Will Pay the Fair Share Tax.' MassBudget, 17 Oct. 2022, 3.  www.massbudget.org .

3. Center for State Policy Analysis, Tufts University. 'Evaluating the Massachusetts Millionaires Tax.' Tufts University, Jan. 2022, cspa.tufts.edu/sites/g/files/lrezom361/files/2022-01/cSPA_Evaluating_MA_Millionaires_Tax.pdf.

4. WBUR News. 'A 'Millionaires' Tax' in Mass. Would Net $1.3 Billion in Revenue, Report Says.' WBUR News, 13 Jan. 2022,  www.wbur.org/news/2022/01/13/millionaires-tax-report-massachusetts .

5. Lankford, Kimberly. 'Retirement Taxes: How All 50 States Tax Retirees.'  Kiplinger , Apr. 2020,  www.kiplinger.com/retirement/602202/taxes-in-retirement-how-all-50-states-tax-retirees .