Take-home pay in Maine: federal, state and FICA explained
How federal income tax, Maine state tax and FICA come out of each paycheck, with an example for a biweekly pay schedule.
Key facts
| Place | Maine |
|---|---|
| Sales tax | State sales tax |
| Standard rate on file | 5.5% |
| Multiply net price by | 1.055 |
| Tax share of a gross price | 5.21% |
| Currency | USD |
The three main deductions
Every paycheck in Maine has federal income tax withholding and FICA (6.2% Social Security up to the wage base plus 1.45% Medicare). State income tax depends on the state; the calculator starts with 6% for Maine as a planning estimate.
Worked example
Here is the calculation with sample figures. Change any number in the Maine Paycheck Calculator to run your own.
| Gross annual salary | $150,000.00 |
| Pay periods per year | 26 |
| Federal rate (%) | 12% |
| State rate (%) | 6% |
| Gross amount | $5,769.23 |
|---|---|
| Federal tax | $692.31 |
| State tax | $346.15 |
| Social Security and Medicare | $441.35 |
| Net per paycheck | $4,289.42 |
Pre-tax deductions
401(k) contributions, health premiums and HSA contributions taken pre-tax reduce taxable wages, so your real withholding may be lower than this simple estimate.
Quick reference at 5.5%
Common amounts in Maine, worked both ways: adding tax to a net price, and extracting it from a price that already includes tax.
| Amount | Tax on net amount | Gross (net + tax) | Net if amount includes tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.55 | $10.55 | $9.48 |
| $50.00 | $2.75 | $52.75 | $47.39 |
| $100.00 | $5.50 | $105.50 | $94.79 |
| $250.00 | $13.75 | $263.75 | $236.97 |
| $500.00 | $27.50 | $527.50 | $473.93 |
| $1,000.00 | $55.00 | $1,055.00 | $947.87 |
| $5,000.00 | $275.00 | $5,275.00 | $4,739.34 |
How Maine compares
Standard rates on file for other states. A difference of a few points matters most on high-value purchases and on cross-border sales.
| Place | Rate on file | Compared with 5.5% |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas | 6.5% | higher |
| Kentucky | 6% | higher |
| Louisiana | 5% | lower |
| Maryland | 6% | higher |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | higher |
| Michigan | 6% | higher |
Using the calculator step by step
- Open the Maine Paycheck Calculator.
- Type your figures into the numbered lines. Results update as you type.
- Check the rate field. It starts at 5.5%; change it if a reduced rate, local surcharge or exemption applies to you.
- Read the result on the receipt panel, and use the formula shown under it if you need to explain the figure to a client or colleague.
Key terms
- Taxable income
- Income left after allowances and deductions, on which the tax rates are applied.
- Zero rate
- A rate of 0% on a taxable supply. Unlike an exemption, the seller can usually still reclaim tax on costs.
- Tax credit
- An amount subtracted directly from the tax bill, worth its full face value.
- Standard rate
- The rate that applies to most goods and services unless a specific reduced rate, zero rate or exemption applies.
- Effective rate
- Total tax divided by total income, the average rate you actually pay.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using your top federal bracket as the withholding rate.
- Forgetting pre-tax deductions.
Run your own numbers. The Maine Paycheck Calculator updates as you type and shows the formula it uses.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax comes out of a paycheck in Maine?
Federal withholding, FICA of 7.65% and any state income tax. The calculator estimates each line.
Does Maine have a state income tax?
The planning rate used here is 6%; check current Maine rules for your income.
This article is general information for planning, not tax advice. Rates and rules change; confirm with your tax authority or a qualified adviser.