Maine Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay in Maine. The state levies a graduated income tax that tops out at 7.15% (5.8% to 7.15% across 3 brackets). This means a portion of every paycheck goes toward state income tax in addition to federal withholding, Social Security, and Medicare.
Disclaimer: All figures on this page are estimates for general informational purposes only and are not financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates, brackets, and withholding rules change and vary by locality and personal circumstances. Verify current rates with the Maine Department of Revenue or the IRS, and consult a qualified tax professional before making financial decisions.
Maine Tax Snapshot
- State Income Tax
- 7.15% top rate
- Sales Tax (state + local avg)
- 5.50%
- Avg Property Tax Rate
- 1.24%
- Median Home Value
- $295,500
- State Minimum Wage
- $15.10/hr
Did You Know?
Maine offers a property tax fairness credit for high-burden residents.
How Maine's Graduated Brackets Affect Your Paycheck
When you earn a paycheck in Maine, your employer withholds federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). On top of that, the state withholds income tax based on 5.8% to 7.15% across 3 brackets. The state minimum wage is $15.10 per hour, which sets the floor for hourly workers. Understanding these deductions helps you budget effectively and plan for the average 1.24% property tax rate on homes valued around $295,500.
Maine also levies a combined state and average local sales tax of 5.50%, which affects your overall purchasing power. Factor this into your budget when calculating how far your paycheck stretches.
Where You Live vs. Where You Work in Maine
Maine has no income tax reciprocity agreements, so if you live here and work across a state line, the work state generally withholds its own tax first. Maine then gives you a credit for taxes paid to the other state, which usually leaves you paying the higher of the two rates overall rather than both in full.
Maine has no general local income or wage tax, so state withholding is the only state-level line on your pay stub alongside federal tax and FICA.
How Maine's Income Tax Compares Nationally
Maine uses a graduated income tax — 5.8% to 7.15% across 3 brackets — so higher slices of income are taxed at higher rates rather than one flat percentage.
Its 7.15% top rate is the 11th-highest nationally among the 42 states and jurisdictions that tax wages, above the median top rate of 5.25%.
For comparison, nearby states line up like this: New Hampshire (no income tax); Vermont (top rate 8.75%).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maine have a state income tax? + −
Yes. Maine has a state income tax with a top rate of 7.15%. Your effective rate depends on your filing status and income brackets. Maine offers a property tax fairness credit for high-burden residents.
What is the sales tax rate in Maine? + −
The Maine state sales tax rate is 5.5%. When you include the average local rate of 0%, the combined rate is approximately 5.50%. Actual rates vary by city and county.
How do I calculate my Maine take-home pay? + −
Start with your gross salary, subtract federal income tax (based on your W-4 and tax bracket), subtract FICA taxes (7.65% — 6.2% Social Security up to the wage base + 1.45% Medicare), then subtract Maine state income tax at your marginal rate. The remainder is your net take-home pay. Our calculator does this automatically.
What payroll deductions apply in Maine? + −
All Maine employees pay federal income tax and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%). State income tax is also withheld based on Maine's brackets. Additional deductions may include 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and any local taxes.
How often are Maine employees typically paid? + −
Most Maine employees are paid biweekly (26 paychecks per year) or semi-monthly (24 paychecks). Some employers use weekly or monthly pay schedules. Our calculator supports all frequencies — enter your gross pay for one period and it calculates your net pay after all applicable Maine taxes and deductions.
What are the Maine income tax brackets? + −
Maine uses a graduated structure: 5.8% to 7.15% across 3 brackets. Only the income that falls within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate, so your effective rate is always lower than the 7.15% top rate.
Is Maine a high income tax state? + −
Maine's top rate of 7.15% ranks 11th-highest among the 42 states and jurisdictions with a wage income tax, above the national median top rate of 5.25%. Because the brackets are graduated (5.8% to 7.15% across 3 brackets), most filers pay an effective rate well below the headline number.
What if I live in Maine but work in another state? + −
Maine has no reciprocity agreements, so the state where you physically work usually withholds its own income tax. You then file a Maine resident return reporting all your income and claim a credit for the tax paid to the other state. The credit is capped at what Maine would have charged, so you effectively pay the higher of the two rates.
How do nearby states' income taxes compare with Maine's? + −
New Hampshire (no income tax); Vermont (top rate 8.75%). 1 of the 2 nearby states listed has a higher top rate than Maine's 7.15%.
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