Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) Tax Incentive Program

Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC) Tax Incentive Program is sponsored by Massachusetts Life Sciences Center (MLSC). This program offers tax incentives to companies engaged in life sciences research and development, commercialization, and manufacturing in Massachusetts.

Resources, Policies, & Reports The application period will run from Jan. 12, 2026 to March 31, 2026 at 2 p. m.

EST. The Tax Incentive Program supports companies engaged in life sciences research and development, commercialization and manufacturing in Massachusetts. The program provides incentives to companies, of all sizes, looking to expand their efforts by creating new, long-term jobs in Massachusetts.

Up to $40 million in tax incentives are available for the current program round.

Application Period Begins Register for Info Session Register for Info Session Register for Info Session Register for Info Session Eligibility and Evaluation Companies must be registered to do business in Massachusetts Companies must be filing a Massachusetts corporate tax return for 2025 Companies must employ at least 10 permanent Massachusetts FTEs (defined as working at least 35 hours/week) as of December 31, 2025 Companies must commit to hiring in calendar year 2026 in Massachusetts and commit to retaining those jobs through December 31, 2028 Minimum commitment of 5 net new FTEs if company employed less than 50 permanent Massachusetts as of December 31, 2025 Minimum commitment of 5 net new FTEs if company is located in a Gateway Municipality Minimum commitment of 5 net new FTEs if company is located in one of the following Massachusetts Counties; Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Nantucket, Plymouth, Worcester Minimum commitment of 10 net new FTEs for all other companies Companies must be in good standing with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Department of Unemployment Assistance, and the Secretary of State.

Data Use Authorization: If awarded, companies will be required to acknowledge and specifically consent to and authorize the MLSC to access information related to the Award through the Department of Revenue or any other source of relevant information regarding the Award and the claimed tax credit. Interested applicants are required to submit an online application.

This is a one-step application process that includes all the information necessary for the applicant company to be certified under the Life Sciences Act. Please see sections 5 and 6 of the Solicitation for more information regarding the application process and further details on the eligibility requirements.

Companies that receive a tax incentive award are required to provide Annual Reports to monitor the progress of the hiring and retention against the commitment levels, which were the basis of the award provided. Companies not in compliance with their hiring commitments will be decertified. Decertified companies must return tax incentives to the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Please see Policies section below for the program policies regarding reporting, acquisitions, divestiture, and termination of incentives.

Frequently Asked Questions Department of Revenue Tax Information Release on Life Sciences Tax Incentive Program Department of Revenue Tax Information Release on calculation and recapture of Certain Life Science Tax Incentives Life Sciences Jobs Incentive Refundable Credit Annual Report and Multiple Awards Policy Report on Deferral of Decertification for 2024 Tax Reporting Cycle Report on Deferral of Decertification for 2023 Tax Reporting Cycle Report on Deferral of Decertification for 2022 Tax Reporting Cycle Report on Deferral of Decertification for 2021 Tax Reporting Cycle To ensure the Massachusetts’ ecosystem stays the hotbed for life sciences activity, we will continue to make investments through our Tax Incentive program to create jobs, build a robust workforce, and propel the development of new therapies, devices, and scientific advancements that are improving patient health and well-being.

awarded in tax incentives of new jobs are expanding in communities outside of Boston & Cambridge (since 2018) Team Massachusetts is excited to connect you with the latest and most relevant resources available for businesses. We’re here to support you every step of the way as your company grows. Through the Business Front Door, we can make your business journey in Massachusetts a successful one.

Click here to learn more. If you have any questions regarding the application process, email: taxprogram@masslifesciences. com .

Data Science Internship Program Accepting Applications , Internships High School Apprenticeship Challenge Early Stage Companies , Public Private Partnership Hear from the Heart of the Hub " * " indicates required fields This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.