Calculate your take-home pay in The Old Line State. Maryland income tax rate: 6.5%.
Maryland has a progressive income tax with nine brackets from 2% to 6.5%. Additionally, all Maryland counties and Baltimore City levy local income taxes ranging from 2.25% to 3.2%, making the combined rate among the highest in the nation. The standard deduction is $2,550 for single filers.
| Item | Per Paycheck | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | - | - | - |
| Federal Income Tax | - | - | - |
| Maryland State Tax | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Social Security | - | - | - |
| Medicare | - | - | - |
| 401(k) + Pre-Tax | - | - | - |
| Take-Home Pay | - | - | - |
Maryland has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 5.75%. This calculator estimates your take-home pay after federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions. Enter your salary or hourly wage above to see a detailed breakdown of your paycheck.
Maryland's state rates range from 2% to 5.75%, but every county and Baltimore City imposes a local income tax ranging from 2.25% to 3.2%. This means the combined state plus local rate ranges from 4.25% to 8.95%, making the total tax burden significantly higher than the state rate alone suggests. Always include your county rate for an accurate estimate.
Regardless of state taxes, all Maryland workers pay federal income tax using the 2026 brackets: 10% on the first $11,925 of taxable income (single), 12% up to $48,475, 22% up to $103,350, 24% up to $197,300, 32% up to $250,525, 35% up to $626,350, and 37% on income above that. The standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married filing jointly in 2026.
All workers in Maryland pay Social Security tax at 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 (2026) and Medicare tax at 1.45% on all wages. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to wages over $200,000 for single filers. These federal payroll taxes apply uniformly regardless of which state you live in.
Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income for both federal and state purposes. Contributing to a 401(k) (up to $24,500 in 2026, plus $8,000 catch-up if 50+) lowers both your federal and MD state tax bill. Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions ($4,300 individual, $8,550 family in 2026) are also pre-tax. Review your W-4 withholding: if you receive a large refund each year, you may be overwithholding, which means less money in each paycheck. The Tax Bracket Calculator shows your federal marginal and effective rates.
Maryland's state income tax runs 2-5.75%, but the real hit is the county income tax that every Maryland county levies on top, ranging from 2.25% to 3.2%. A Maryland resident effectively pays 4.75-9% combined state and local income tax before federal taxes. Baltimore City's 3.2% local rate makes it one of the highest-taxed jurisdictions in the country.
To see your complete Maryland tax picture, you need to add your county's local income tax rate to the state rate shown here. Baltimore City and Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties all levy rates above 3%, making them among the highest local income taxes in the country. The total combined bite can approach 9-10%.