Maine Paycheck Calculator

Calculate your take-home pay per paycheck for salary and hourly jobs after federal & Maine taxes

Updated for 2024 tax year on Jul 06, 2024

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How to calculate your Maine paycheck

Overview of Maine

Maine is in the northeasternmost of America. It is one of the least populated, with a population of under 1.5 million (2019). Lobsters are a famous local delicacy known for cold waters and great fishery.

Brief summary:

• the income tax rate ranges from 5.8% to 7.15%
• no local income tax
• no state payroll taxes
• has standard deduction and exemption

Understanding your Maine paycheck

Maine levies an income tax, and employers in the state must follow specific rules when calculating and withholding taxes from employees. Understanding how your Maine paycheck works are essential to budgeting and financial planning, whether you’re a lifelong Mainer or have just relocated to Pine Tree State.

Completing a W-4 form on your first day of work is necessary. This form lets your employer know how much money to withhold from each paycheck for federal income taxes. The withholding amount depends on several factors (income, filing status, etc.). In the past, the W-4 asked for the number of allowances you claimed, but the form has been updated to ask for more detailed information about your income and deductions.

Once your federal income tax withholding has been determined, your employer will also withhold money from your paycheck for FICA taxes. These taxes support Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). Your employer will match these amounts. There is an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax for those earning $200,000 or more.

Your paycheck may have additional deductions apart from federal and FICA taxes. A portion will be deducted from your salary if you contribute towards a retirement plan or insurance. These contributions are pre-tax, meaning they lower your taxable income and the federal income tax you owe.

It’s important to note that not all deductions from your paycheck are made pre-tax. Some employee benefits, like life insurance, may be paid for post-tax. This means the portion of your paycheck toward these benefits will be taxed.

Your Maine paycheck will also reflect deductions for state income taxes. Maine’s progressive income tax system means that higher-income people pay more tax. Similarly, the state income tax is withheld from your paycheck. At the end of the tax year, file a state income tax return to reconcile your tax liability. There is no need to worry about local income tax since no cities or towns in Maine have one.

Calculate your Maine paycheck

Calculating your Maine tax year income tax is similar to the steps we outlined on our main paycheck calculator page:

1. Determine your gross income
   • Annual salary
     Annual salary = Gross income
   • Hourly wage
     Hourly wage × Hours worked per day × Days worked per week × Weeks worked per year = Your weekly paycheck
2. Work out your total federal income tax
   1. Gross income adjusted
      Gross income − Pre-tax deductions = Gross income adjusted
   2. Federal taxable income
      Gross income adjusted − Federal standard/itemized deductions = Federal taxable income
   3. Federal income tax liability
      Federal taxable income × Federal income tax rate = Federal income tax liability
   4. Federal payroll tax liability
      Gross income × Federal payroll tax rate = Federal payroll tax liability
3. Calculate your total Maine state income tax
   1. Maine state taxable income
      Gross income adjusted − (Maine state standard/itemized deductions + Maine state exemptions) = Maine state taxable income
   2. Maine state income tax liability
      Maine state taxable income × Maine state income tax rate = Maine state income tax liability
4. Figure out your net pay
   You need to account for any other deductions such as health insurance, 401(k) contribution, as well as additional withholdings.
   Gross income − (Total income tax liability + Total payroll tax liability + Total pre-tax deductions + Total post-tax deductions + Total withholdings) = Your net pay
5. Divide your net pay by your pay frequency
   
   • Daily
     Your net pay / Days worked per week / Weeks worked per year = Your daily paycheck
   • Weekly
     Your net pay / 52 = Your weekly paycheck
   • Bi-weekly
     Your net pay / 26 = Your bi-weekly paycheck
   • Semi-monthly
     Your net pay / 24 = Your semi-monthly paycheck
   • Monthly
     Your net pay / 12 = Your monthly paycheck
   • Quarterly
     Your net pay / 4 = Your quarterly paycheck
   • Semi-annual
     Your net pay / 2 = Your semi-annual paycheck
   • Annual
     Your net pay = Your annual paycheck

State income tax brackets

Single and Married filing separately filers have the same tax rates. Refer to Tax Foundation for more details.

State standard deduction

Maine standard deduction is tied to the federal standard deduction.

State exemptions

Different from federal income tax, you can still claim exemption(s) in Maine. Refer to Tax Foundation for more details.

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