Maine paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | Three brackets — 5.8%, 6.75% and 7.15% — plus a new 2% surcharge from 2026 on taxable income over $1 million ($1.5 million for joint filers and heads of household) |
|---|---|
| Deductions & credits | A standard deduction of $15,700 (single) or $31,400 (married filing jointly); A personal exemption of $5,300 (single) or $10,600 (joint) |
| State payroll taxes | PFML (up to 0.5% of wages up to $184,500, half of the 1% premium at employers with 15 or more workers) |
| Local income taxes | None |
| Federal (every state) | 2026 brackets from 10% to 37%; Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 |
| Sales tax | 5.50% average combined rate — Maine sales tax calculator |
How Maine taxes your paycheck
Three brackets — 5.8%, 6.75% and 7.15% — plus a new 2% surcharge from 2026 on taxable income over $1 million ($1.5 million for joint filers and heads of household). The calculation starts from federal adjusted gross income with Maine modifications, and filers get a standard deduction of $15,700 (single) or $31,400 (married filing jointly) and a personal exemption of $5,300 (single) or $10,600 (joint). Employers withhold it each payday using the state's withholding formula, so a pay stub can differ a little from the annual tax estimated here; any difference settles when you file your Maine return.
State payroll contributions
- PFML: up to 0.5% of wages up to $184,500, half of the 1% premium at employers with 15 or more workers. Source: Maine Department of Labor, 2026 premiums; 26 MRSA §850-F.
The calculator applies these to gross pay minus Section 125 (pre-tax health) deductions. They fund benefits you can claim yourself, such as partial wage replacement during a disability or a family or medical leave.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in Maine
A single filer paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), with no 401(k) or health deductions — the calculator's starting values:
| Line | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$155.00 | −$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$36.25 | −$942.50 |
| Maine income tax | −$104.22 | −$2,709.70 |
| ME PFML | −$12.50 | −$325.00 |
| Take-home pay | $1,975.88 | $51,372.80 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
Maine: $65,000 − $15,700 standard deduction − $5,300 personal exemption = $44,000 taxable; the brackets give $2,709.70 (4.17% of pay).
PFML $325.00.
All taxes together take 21% of gross pay, leaving $51,372.80.
Take-home pay at other salaries in Maine
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | ME income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,018 | $1,269.92 | $1,102 | 17.5% | $35,960 |
| $50,000 | $40,408 | $1,554.15 | $1,697 | 19.2% | $43,681 |
| $65,000 | $51,373 | $1,975.88 | $2,710 | 21% | $54,929 |
| $80,000 | $60,988 | $2,345.68 | $3,722 | 23.8% | $66,036 |
| $100,000 | $73,551 | $2,828.89 | $5,129 | 26.4% | $80,816 |
| $150,000 | $103,623 | $3,985.48 | $9,418 | 30.9% | $115,666 |
Standard deduction only, with no pre-tax deductions or dependents and no local tax. The total tax rate (single) includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and state payroll contributions.
Maine compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), Maine ranks 42 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. New Hampshire and Vermont would leave you more each year; Massachusetts would leave less.
Local income taxes are left out, except Maryland's county tax, which every resident pays (3.20% used here).
| State | State & county income tax | State payroll taxes | Take-home per year | vs. Maine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | $2,710 | $325 | $51,373 | — |
| New Hampshire | $0 | $0 | $54,408 | +$3,035 |
| Vermont | $1,766 | $72 | $52,570 | +$1,197 |
| Massachusetts | $3,030 | $299 | $51,079 | −$294 |
Good to know about Maine paychecks
- From 2026 Maine adds a 2% surcharge on taxable income over $1 million ($1.5 million for joint filers), making the top rate 9.15%.
- Maine's paid family and medical leave premiums began in 2025; employers with 15 or more workers pay 1% of wages and may deduct up to half.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in Maine?
About $51,373 a year, or $1,975.88 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after $5,620 of federal income tax, $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare, $2,710 of Maine income tax and $325 of PFML. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $54,929.
Does Maine have a state income tax?
Yes. Three brackets — 5.8%, 6.75% and 7.15% — plus a new 2% surcharge from 2026 on taxable income over $1 million ($1.5 million for joint filers and heads of household). On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $2,710 a year, 4.17% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in Maine?
Besides federal taxes and state income tax, Maine employees pay PFML (up to 0.5% of wages up to $184,500, half of the 1% premium at employers with 15 or more workers). On a $65,000 salary that comes to about $325 a year.
Do cities or counties in Maine tax wages?
No. Local governments in Maine do not tax employees' wages, so the state-level estimate is complete apart from your own deductions.
Is take-home pay higher in Maine or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, Maine ranks 42 of 51 for take-home pay at $51,373. New Hampshire ($54,408) and Vermont ($52,570) leave more, while Massachusetts ($51,079) leaves less.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any Maine withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. Maine income tax figures: Maine Revenue Services, 2026 Individual Income Tax Rates (revised May 20, 2026) and 2026 deduction phase-out worksheet. Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.