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Maine Paycheck Calculator (2026)

Estimate your Maine take-home pay after federal tax, FICA, Maine state income tax, and Maine PFML.

How this calculator works

Like the Texas calculator, this estimates federal tax and FICA the same way; Maine doesn’t change those. On top of that, it computes Maine’s own state income tax using Maine’s own standard deduction (which shrinks to $0 for high earners), personal exemption, and three-bracket rate schedule, plus Maine PFML, a 0.5% payroll tax that funds the state’s paid family and medical leave program.

The formula

(federal tax, FICA, and net-pay assembly are identical to the Texas calculator)

meStandardDeduction = basicAmount                                    if AGI <= threshold
                   = 0                                              if AGI >= threshold + divisor
                   = basicAmount x (threshold + divisor - AGI) / divisor   otherwise
                     (basicAmount: $15,300 single / $30,600 joint
                      threshold:   $102,250 single / $204,550 joint
                      divisor:     $75,000 single / $150,000 joint)

mePersonalExemption = $5,300 x number of exemptions (1 single, 2 joint)

meTaxableIncome = max(0, AGI - meStandardDeduction - mePersonalExemption)
meIncomeTax     = 2026 ME bracket schedule applied to meTaxableIncome
                (5.8% / 6.75% / 7.15%)

mePfml = 0.5% x ficaWages, capped at the Social Security wage base

stateTax = meIncomeTax + mePfml

Worked example

A single filer earning $60,000/year, paid biweekly, with no 401(k) or extra deductions:

  • FICA: $4,590.00/year (same as any state)
  • Federal tax: $5,020.00/year (same as any state)
  • Maine standard deduction: $60,000 is below the $102,250 phase-out threshold, so the full $15,300.00 applies
  • Personal exemption: $5,300.00 (1 exemption)
  • Maine taxable income: $60,000 − $15,300 − $5,300 = $39,400
  • Maine income tax: $1,589.20 (5.8% of $27,400) + $810.00 (6.75% of the $12,000 above that) = $2,399.20/year
  • Maine PFML: 0.5% × $60,000 = $300.00/year
  • Net pay: $60,000 − $4,590 − $5,020 − $2,399.20 − $300 = $47,690.80/year, or $1,834.26 per biweekly paycheck

We verified the bracket math directly against Maine Revenue Services’ own printed withholding examples (accessed 2026-08-25): applying the same 5.8%/6.75%/7.15% schedule to a $28,950 taxable-income figure from MRS’s Example 2 gives $1,693.83 cents-precise, matching MRS’s own $1,694 whole-dollar-rounded result to within the expected rounding gap.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What are Maine's 2026 income tax brackets?

Three brackets, adjusted yearly for inflation. Single filers pay 5.8% up to $27,400, 6.75% up to $64,850, and 7.15% above that. Joint filers pay the same rates at roughly double the thresholds: 5.8% up to $54,850, 6.75% up to $129,750, and 7.15% above.

Why does my Maine standard deduction shrink as my income rises?

Maine phases out its standard deduction for high earners. Above $102,250 (single) or $204,550 (joint) Maine adjusted gross income, the deduction shrinks in a straight line, reaching $0 at $177,250 (single) or $354,550 (joint). Below the starting threshold, you get the full deduction with no reduction at all.

What is Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave, and is it mandatory?

Maine PFML is a state program funding paid family and medical leave benefits, with contributions that began in 2025 and benefits starting May 1, 2026. Employees can be charged up to 0.5% of wages, capped at the Social Security wage base ($184,500 in 2026), for a maximum yearly contribution of $922.50.

Does Maine have local or city income taxes?

No. Maine has no city, town, or county income taxes anywhere in the state. Your only income tax withholding lines are federal and Maine state tax, on top of federal FICA and Maine PFML.

Are tips and overtime tax-free in Maine?

No. The federal 2025-2028 "no tax on tips" and "no tax on overtime" deductions only reduce your federal taxable income. Maine has not adopted matching state deductions, so tips and overtime remain fully taxable on your Maine return.

How is Maine's standard deduction different from the federal standard deduction?

Maine sets its own standard deduction amount each year ($15,300 single, $30,600 joint for 2026) rather than simply copying the federal figure, and unlike the federal deduction, Maine's phases out completely for high earners. Maine also keeps a separate flat personal exemption ($5,300 per filer) that the federal return no longer has.

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