Removing Tefillin before Musaf on Rosh Chodesh
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Question
Why is it customary to remove the tefillin before the Musaf prayer, and is it obligatory if one did not remove them?
Answer
In the Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim, Siman 25, Sif 13), it is written: on Rosh Chodesh, they are removed before the Musaf prayer. The Beit Yosef brings that the source is from the Zohar, which states that during the recitation of the Kedusha 'Keter', it is not appropriate to have them on.
The Rema writes that this reason applies only in places where they recite 'Kedushat Keter' in Musaf. However, the custom is to remove them before Musaf even in places where 'Keter' is not recited [Ashkenazi custom].
In the Mishnah Berurah (Siman 223, Sif Katan 10), an additional reason is given: during the mention of the Musaf offerings, it is considered a 'sign', and therefore the tefillin, which are also called a sign, should be removed.
This reason also applies to the Ashkenazi custom in Kedusha.
Source
Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim, Siman 25, Sif 13), Mishnah Berurah (Siman 223, Sif Katan 10).