ME

Maine Paycheck Calculator

See exactly what you take home after federal taxes, Maine state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Updated for 2026.

State tax: 7.15% SS: 6.2% Medicare: 1.45% 2026 brackets
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1099 freelancer note: You owe both halves of Social Security & Medicare — that's 15.3% self-employment tax on top of income tax. Quarterly estimated payments due Apr 15, Jun 16, Sep 15, Jan 15.
Maine state income tax (2026) Maine top rate is 7.15% for income over $61,600.
$0–$26,050: 5.8%, $26,050–$61,600: 6.75%, over $61,600: 7.15%

Maine Income Tax Explained (2026)

Maine has a state income tax with a progressive (5.8%–7.15%) structure. Workers earning typical wages generally pay an effective state rate between 3.6% and 7.2% depending on income and deductions. Understanding how Maine's tax works helps you accurately predict your take-home pay and plan your withholding.

Maine residents also pay federal income tax (10%–37%), Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%). The combination of federal and state taxes is the primary driver of the gap between your gross pay and your actual paycheck.

How Maine compares to neighboring states

New Hampshire
No income tax
Zero tax
Vermont
Up to 8.75%
Higher
Massachusetts
5% flat
Lower

What taxes come out of a Maine paycheck?

A Maine W-2 employee's paycheck is reduced by federal income tax (progressive 10%–37%), Maine state income tax (progressive (5.8%–7.15%)), Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to $184,500, and Medicare at 1.45% on all wages. High earners above $200,000 also pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on excess wages.

Maine freelancers and 1099 contractors pay self-employment tax of 15.3% — covering both employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare — on top of both federal and state income taxes. Half of the self-employment tax is deductible from federal adjusted gross income, reducing the effective burden slightly. Maine freelancers must also make quarterly estimated state tax payments.

Maine tax tips for 2026

  • Moderate top rate: Maine's top rate of 7.15% kicks in at $58,050 for single filers (2026), meaning most middle-income earners hit the top bracket fairly quickly.
  • Standard deduction: Maine conforms to the federal standard deduction ($13,850 single / $27,700 married in 2026).
  • Retirement income: Maine provides a pension income deduction of up to $35,000 for taxpayers who have reached retirement age, partially offsetting Maine's income tax for retirees.
  • Estimated taxes: Maine requires quarterly estimated payments if you expect to owe more than $1,000. Use Maine Form 1040ES-ME.

Frequently asked questions

Maine has three income tax brackets: 5.8% on taxable income up to $24,500 (single), 6.75% on $24,501–$58,050, and 7.15% on income above $58,050. The 7.15% top rate applies to most workers earning above $70,000 on the majority of their income. Maine's rates are among the higher ones in New England, exceeded only by Vermont (8.75% top rate).
For a single filer earning $75,000 in Maine in 2026, after the ~$13,850 standard deduction, taxable income is ~$61,150. State tax is approximately $3,200–$3,500. Combined with federal tax (~$10,294), Social Security ($4,650), and Medicare ($1,088), total deductions are roughly $19,632. Take-home is approximately $55,368/year or ~$2,129 bi-weekly.
Maine follows federal rules for Social Security taxation — only the federally taxable portion of Social Security (up to 85% depending on your combined income) is also taxable in Maine. Maine does not provide an additional exemption beyond the federal taxability threshold. However, Maine's pension income deduction (up to $35,000 for eligible retirees) can offset some of this.
Some Maine workers who live near the New Hampshire border commute to work in New Hampshire to take advantage of NH's no-income-tax status. However, Maine requires residents to pay Maine income tax on all their income regardless of where it is earned (Maine taxes resident income). Only New Hampshire's wages can escape NH taxation, as NH doesn't tax wages at all.
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