Washington County Local Tax Guide (2026)
Understanding how local taxes work in Washington County, Maryland, and how they affect your take-home pay.
In this guide
Last updated: October 1, 2026
- •Washington County has a local county tax on the people who live in the county, wherever they work.
- •Residents pay 2.95% on all income.
- •Local tax is separate from Maryland state tax and federal tax. Both are calculated independently and add to your total tax burden.
- •Local tax directly reduces your take-home pay. Combined with state and federal taxes, the total tax burden can be significant for high earners.
What Washington County local tax costs at three incomes
The 2.95% resident rate is charged on top of federal tax, Maryland state tax and FICA. Priced for 2026, a $75,000 salary loses $2,114 to Washington County alone and takes home $56,128: a combined 25.2% of gross across all four.
| Salary | Washington County tax | Maryland tax | Federal + FICA | Take-home | Total rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $1,376 | $2,163 | $7,645 | $38,816 | 22.4% |
| $75,000 | $2,114 | $3,351 | $13,408 | $56,128 | 25.2% |
| $120,000 | $3,441 | $5,530 | $26,750 | $84,279 | 29.8% |
Living in Washington County rather than only working there costs 2.82 percentage points more: $2,114 a year on $75,000, since non-residents pay 0.00%.
How Washington County compares
Of the 62 US jurisdictions that levy a local income tax, Washington County ranks 26th by resident rate. The median is 2.50%, the highest is New York City at 3.078%–3.876%, and the lowest is St. Louis at 1.00%. Immediately above Washington County sits Pittsburgh (3.00%) and below it Lexington (2.75%).
Within Maryland, 24 jurisdictions charge a local income tax and Washington County is the 20th highest. Same salary, different address:
| Maryland jurisdiction | Resident rate | Cost on $75,000 |
|---|---|---|
| Harford County | 3.06% | $2,192 |
| Carroll County | 3.03% | $2,171 |
| Charles County | 3.03% | $2,171 |
| Washington County | 2.95% | $2,114 |
| Cecil County | 2.74% | $1,963 |
| Garrett County | 2.65% | $1,899 |
| Talbot County | 2.40% | $1,720 |
What local taxes apply in Washington County
Washington County has a local county tax on the people who live in the county, wherever they work.
Key Takeaway
| Residency Status | Rate | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Resident | 2.95% | All income |
Washington County has a local county tax on the people who live in the county, wherever they work.
Maryland county income tax follows where you live: Maryland residents pay the rate of the county, or Baltimore City, they live in at the end of the year, wherever they work. People who live in another state generally pay no county tax: most pay Maryland's special nonresident tax instead, and residents of D.C., Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania are exempt on their Maryland wages.
Residents: If you live in Washington County, you pay 2.95% on all your income.
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How they interact with state taxes
Washington County local tax is calculated separately from Maryland state income tax. Both taxes are calculated on your taxable income and are withheld by your employer.
Tax Deduction
Washington County local tax is calculated separately from Maryland state income tax. This means:
- Local tax is in addition to state tax, not instead of it
- Both taxes are calculated on your taxable income (or wages, depending on the tax type)
- Your employer withholds both local and state taxes from your paycheck
- You may be able to deduct local tax on your state tax return, depending on Maryland tax rules
For example, if you earn $100,000 in Washington County, you pay Maryland state tax on that income, plus Washington County local tax. The local tax doesn't reduce your state taxable income.
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Who is affected
You're subject to Washington County local tax if you live in the county, wherever you work.
You're subject to Washington County local tax if:
- You live in Washington County (residents pay on all income)
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Common paycheck misconceptions
Common misunderstandings about Washington County local tax, including when it applies and how it's calculated.
Common misconceptions about Washington County local tax:
- "It's the same as state tax": False. Local tax is separate from Maryland state tax and is calculated independently.
- "I only pay if I live there": True for residents, but check if non-residents are subject to tax.
- "Remote work means no tax": If you're a Washington County resident, you typically pay on all income regardless of where you work.
Take-home pay impact
Washington County local tax directly reduces your take-home pay. The amount depends on your income level and whether you're a resident or non-resident.
Washington County local tax directly reduces your take-home pay. For example, if you earn $100,000 as a Washington County resident:
- Local tax: approximately $2851 annually
- This reduces your bi-weekly paycheck by about $110
- Combined with Maryland state tax and federal tax, the total tax burden can be significant
To see exactly how Washington County local tax affects your paycheck, use our calculator above. You can adjust your income, filing status, and deductions to see how different scenarios affect your net pay.
Want to see this with your numbers? Try the calculator with your numbers →
Does this apply to you?
Determine whether you're subject to Washington County local tax based on where you live and work.
Check Your Pay Stub
You're subject to Washington County local tax if:
- You live in Washington County (residents pay on all income)
You're not subject to Washington County local tax if you live and work outside the county, even if you're a Maryland resident.