By Gintautas Dumcius | June 18, 2026

Massachusetts’ highest court has blocked a proposal to knock the state income tax to 4% from 5% from appearing on this November’s ballot.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday ruled that the summary of the proposed ballot question, provided by Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office, was “significantly misleading and likely to influence voters” since it says the long-term capital gain tax rate would remain unchanged.

Business groups, including the Massachusetts High Tech Council, had proposed the income tax cut, while left-leaning activists and unions opposed it. Activists on both sides acknowledged it could blow a $5 billion hole in the annual $60-billion-plus state budget if it became law.

The SJC’s ruling agreed with opponents of the ballot question, who took proponents to the high court and argued the proposed law would lower the long-term capital gain tax rate despite what the summary said.

Proponents noted that public polling showed broad support for the measure.

“This decision disenfranchises millions of Massachusetts voters,” said Chris Keohan, a spokesperson for the proponents operating as a group called “Taxpayers for an Affordable Massachusetts.”

“The SJC had not removed a ballot question because of an Attorney General’s summary in nearly a century,” he said in a statement, adding that his group and other proponents are calling for a review of how ballot questions are prepared and “exploring next steps,” including potentially “bringing this back to the ballot in two years.”

The attorney general’s office has previously argued that the summary was fair.

Keohan also said another ballot question proposed by business groups — increasing the frequency of state-issued tax refunds — remains on track for the November ballot.