Tax Year 2026Updated July 23, 2026

Maine Paycheck Calculator 2026

Q: What taxes are deducted from my Maine paycheck?

Your Maine paycheck has deductions for federal income tax (10%-37%), FICA (Social Security + Medicare), and Maine state income tax using graduated brackets (3 brackets).

Q: How do Maine's income tax brackets work?

Maine uses a graduated (progressive) income tax with 3 brackets. Each bracket applies only to income within that range, not your entire income. For example, if you earn enough to reach the third bracket, only the income above the second bracket's threshold is taxed at the third bracket's rate.

Q: What tax bracket am I in for Maine?

Your Maine bracket depends on your taxable income (after deductions) and filing status. The calculator above shows your effective state tax rate, which is usually lower than your marginal bracket rate because lower portions of your income are taxed at lower rates.

Q: Does Maine conform to the OBBBA overtime and tips deductions?

Maine has not yet confirmed whether it will conform to the federal OBBBA deductions for overtime pay and tip income. Until the state legislature or tax authority acts, these deductions reduce only your federal taxable income. Your Maine state income tax on those wages remains unchanged.

Q: Does Maine tax Social Security benefits?

Yes. Maine is one of a small number of states that taxes Social Security benefits at the state level. Maine allows a $25,000 pension income exclusion (reduced by Social Security benefits received). Social Security benefits are taxed for higher earners following the same rules as federal taxation. Verify 2026 exclusion amount. Most states fully exempt Social Security from state income tax, making this a notable distinction for retirees living in or considering Maine.

This calculator estimates your take-home pay as a Maine worker after federal income tax, FICA, and Maine's 3-bracket graduated income tax (rates from 5.80% to 7.15%). Enter your salary, pay frequency, and filing status below.

Maine Income Tax Brackets 2026

The rates below apply to taxable income after subtracting Maine's standard deduction of $15,700 (single) or $31,400 (MFJ).

Taxable Income	Rate
$0 - $26,800	5.80%
$26,800 - $63,450	6.75%
Over $63,450	7.15%

Source: Maine Tax Authority

Retirees may benefit from partial pension income exclusions.

Maine's Independent Deduction System

Maine deliberately sets its own standard deduction at $15,700 (single), which differs from the federal standard deduction of $16,100. Combined with a $5,000 personal exemption, Maine provides a dual-layer deduction system before its graduated brackets apply. This independence from federal deduction rules means your Maine taxable income starting point may differ significantly from your federal return.

Social Security Taxation in Maine

Maine is one of a small number of states that taxes Social Security benefits. Maine allows a $25,000 pension income exclusion (reduced by Social Security benefits received). Social Security benefits are taxed for higher earners following the same rules as federal taxation. Verify 2026 exclusion amount. This affects retirees in Maine and is an important consideration when comparing the state's overall tax burden to states that fully exempt Social Security.

How Your Maine Paycheck Is Calculated

Gross pay: Your annual salary divided by the number of pay periods.
Federal income tax: 2026 progressive brackets (10%-37%) after the federal standard deduction of $16,100 (single) or $32,200 (MFJ).
Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $184,500.
Medicare: 1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% above $200,000 (single).
Maine state income tax: 3-bracket progressive system (5.80% to 7.15%).

Maine Standard Deduction

Maine's standard deduction for 2026 is $15,700 for single filers and $31,400 for married filing jointly. This is subtracted from gross income before Maine's tax brackets are applied. Note: the state deduction is separate from and much smaller than the federal standard deduction of $16,100.

Retirement Income in Maine

Maine offers a partial exclusion for pension and retirement income. Some retirement income may be exempt or receive preferential treatment depending on the source and amount. Maine allows a $25,000 pension income exclusion (reduced by Social Security benefits received). Social Security benefits are taxed for higher earners following the same rules as federal taxation. Verify 2026 exclusion amount.

Worked Examples

Example 1: $62,000/year - Head of Household, Monthly

Profile: $62,000 annual salary, Head of Household filer, paid monthly (12 paychecks/year)

Gross per period: $5,166.67
Federal income tax: -$349.00
Social Security: -$320.33
Medicare: -$74.92
Maine state income tax: -$185.84
Net take-home pay: $4,236.58 per paycheck ($50,839/year)
Effective total tax rate: 18.00%

Example 2: $135,000/year - Married Filing Jointly, Semi-monthly

Profile: $135,000 annual salary, Married Filing Jointly filer, paid semimonthly (24 paychecks/year)

Gross per period: $5,625.00
Federal income tax: -$501.67
Social Security: -$348.75
Medicare: -$81.56
Maine state income tax: -$270.16
Net take-home pay: $4,422.86 per paycheck ($106,149/year)
Effective total tax rate: 21.37%

Example 3: $85,000/year - Single, Biweekly

Profile: $85,000 annual salary, Single filer, paid biweekly (26 paychecks/year)

Gross per period: $3,269.23
Federal income tax: -$379.62
Social Security: -$202.69
Medicare: -$47.40
Maine state income tax: -$171.02
Net take-home pay: $2,468.50 per paycheck ($64,181/year)
Effective total tax rate: 24.49%

Maine Tax Notes

Graduated brackets: 3 brackets from 5.80% to 7.15%.

Maine does not impose local income taxes. No local sales tax options exist.

OBBBA Conformity

Maine has not confirmed conformity with the federal OBBBA deductions for overtime and tips. Until the state legislature or tax authority acts, these deductions apply only on the federal return. Maine state income tax on those wages remains unchanged.

Frequently Asked Questions

What taxes are deducted from my Maine paycheck?

Your Maine paycheck has deductions for federal income tax (10%-37%), FICA (Social Security + Medicare), and Maine state income tax using graduated brackets (3 brackets).

How accurate is this paycheck calculator?

This calculator estimates take-home pay using 2026 federal and Maine state tax rates. It models federal income tax, FICA, and state income tax. It does not include pre-tax deductions (401(k), HSA, health insurance premiums), post-tax deductions, or state-specific payroll taxes (disability insurance, paid leave). Your actual paycheck may differ.

How do Maine's income tax brackets work?

Maine uses a graduated (progressive) income tax with 3 brackets. Each bracket applies only to income within that range, not your entire income. For example, if you earn enough to reach the third bracket, only the income above the second bracket's threshold is taxed at the third bracket's rate.

What tax bracket am I in for Maine?

Your Maine bracket depends on your taxable income (after deductions) and filing status. The calculator above shows your effective state tax rate, which is usually lower than your marginal bracket rate because lower portions of your income are taxed at lower rates.

Is my pension or retirement income taxed in Maine?

Maine offers a partial exclusion for pension and retirement income. Some retirement income may be exempt or receive preferential treatment depending on the source and amount. Social Security benefits are partially taxed at the state level.

Does Maine conform to the OBBBA overtime and tips deductions?

Maine has not yet confirmed whether it will conform to the federal OBBBA deductions for overtime pay and tip income. Until the state legislature or tax authority acts, these deductions reduce only your federal taxable income. Your Maine state income tax on those wages remains unchanged.

Does Maine tax Social Security benefits?

Yes. Maine is one of a small number of states that taxes Social Security benefits at the state level. Maine allows a $25,000 pension income exclusion (reduced by Social Security benefits received). Social Security benefits are taxed for higher earners following the same rules as federal taxation. Verify 2026 exclusion amount. Most states fully exempt Social Security from state income tax, making this a notable distinction for retirees living in or considering Maine.