Maine Tax Brackets
How to read this: Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate. Your total tax is the sum across brackets.
| Income Range | Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 - $27,399 | 5.80% |
| $27,399 - $64,849 | 6.75% |
| $64,849+ | 7.15% |
Brackets shown for single filers. Married filing jointly brackets may differ. Use the calculator above to see your specific situation.
Key Facts That Affect Your Take-Home Pay
- Maine uses a progressive income tax system with three brackets, starting at 5.8% for the first $24,500 of income (single) or $49,000 (married) and escalating to a top rate of 7.15% for income above $58,500 (single) or $117,000 (married), making Maine's bracket structure relatively simple but with relatively high starting rates compared to other progressive states.
- Maine's progressive brackets have a relatively high starting rate (5.8%) compared to many other progressive states that start at 1%-3%, meaning even lower earners pay a higher percentage in Maine. For a $75,000 earner, income is taxed at 5.8% and 6.75%, creating an effective rate around 6%-6.5%, with most income taxed at the higher brackets.
- Maine does not impose income taxes at the city or county level, so your income tax structure doesn't vary by location. All Maine residents have the same income tax structure: only the state progressive brackets apply.
What People Get Wrong
“Progressive tax means I'll pay the top 7.15% on all my income in Maine.”
Maine's progressive system starts at 5.8% for the first $24,500-$49,000 of income (depending on filing status), and most middle-income earners pay effective rates around 6%-6.75%, not 7.15%. The 7.15% rate only applies to income above $58,500 (single) or $117,000 (married). Someone earning $75,000 pays an effective rate around 6%-6.5% (~ $4,500-$4,875 annually).
“Maine has low taxes because it's a small state.”
Maine's income tax starts at 5.8% (relatively high starting rate) and tops out at 7.15%, which is higher than many progressive states' effective rates for middle-income earners. A $75,000 earner in Maine pays around 6%-6.5% effective rate, while the same earner in a flat-tax state like Pennsylvania would pay $2,300 (3.07% flat, though PA may have local EIT), and in Illinois would pay $3,713 (4.95% flat). Maine's high starting rate means even lower earners pay more than in many other states.
“The three brackets mean my tax is simple like flat-tax states.”
While Maine has only three brackets (simpler than states with many brackets), the brackets are progressive with rates ranging from 5.8% to 7.15%. Unlike flat-tax states where everyone pays the same percentage, Maine's progressive system means higher earners pay higher effective rates The high starting rate (5.8%) also means even lower earners pay more than in states with lower starting brackets or flat taxes.
