How a Maine paycheck is built
Every Maine worker pays federal income tax, calculated on the W-4 you submitted to your employer using the IRS Publication 15-T tables. Federal income tax is followed by FICA: 6.2 percent Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 1.45 percent Medicare on every dollar. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies once year-to-date wages cross $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly.
Maine adds progressive state income tax. The bracket you fall into depends on filing status and taxable income. Verify current brackets with the Maine Revenue Services.
What changed recently in Maine
- ME PFML premium 1.0% of wages starting 2025, employer + employee split.
- Benefits begin 2026.
- No major income tax rate change.
Maine payroll quirks workers should know
- ME PFML deduction visible on Maine paychecks beginning 2025.
- No local income tax in Maine.
Example breakdown
A hypothetical Maine worker on a $65,000 annual salary, paid bi-weekly, single filer, no extra adjustments. Educational only, your real paycheck differs.
| Gross (bi-weekly) | $2,500.00 |
| Federal income tax | -$216.15 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$155.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$36.25 |
| Maine state tax | -$137.50 |
| Estimated take-home | $1,955.10 |
Run your own numbers in the Maine paycheck calculator.