Maryland rules
How Maryland taxes your salary after federal deductions in 2026
Maryland state income tax: 2% to 5.75%
The Comptroller of Maryland administers eight progressive brackets for the state portion. The rates start at a low 2% on the first $1,000 of taxable income and rise to 5.75% above $250,000. Maryland's standard deduction is a modest $3,350 for single filers.
| Rate | Taxable income |
|---|---|
| 2.00% | $0 – $1,000 |
| 3.00% | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| 4.00% | $2,000 – $3,000 |
| 4.75% | $3,000 – $100,000 |
| 5.00% | $100,000 – $125,000 |
| 5.25% | $125,000 – $150,000 |
| 5.50% | $150,000 – $250,000 |
| 5.75% | Over $250,000 |
2026 Maryland state brackets for single filers. County income tax (2.25%–3.20%) is added on top. Source: Comptroller of Maryland, Tax Foundation 2026.
The county income tax: Maryland's unique layer
Every Maryland county and Baltimore City imposes its own flat-rate income tax on top of the state tax. Rates range from 2.25% (Worcester County) to 3.20% (Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, Baltimore City and others). This is not optional and not deductible on state returns. Your county rate depends on where you live on December 31 of the tax year.
County tax rate table
The most populous counties charge rates near the maximum. The calculator above uses a representative 3.20% county rate. If you live in a lower-rate county, your take-home will be slightly higher. Below are some key counties and their rates for 2026.
Maryland salary after taxes: worked examples
Below is a side-by-side breakdown for three salary levels in Maryland, assuming single filing status, 3.20% county rate and no pre-tax deferrals. State tax includes the county portion.
| Gross salary | Federal tax | FICA | MD state | Take-home | Keep % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $60,000 | -$5,020 | -$4,590 | -$4,451 | $45,939 | 76.6% |
| $100,000 | -$13,170 | -$7,650 | -$7,631 | $71,549 | 71.5% |
| $150,000 | -$24,734 | -$11,475 | -$11,777 | $102,014 | 68.0% |
Federal tax uses 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single). FICA = 6.2% SS (up to $184,500) + 1.45% Medicare. MD state tax per bracket table above. Figures rounded to nearest dollar.
Maryland's double-layer tax is clearly visible: at $60,000, the combined state and county tax is $4,451 (7.4% of gross), which is higher than most states at this salary level due to the 3.20% county tax applying to nearly all income. At $150,000, the combined state and county take reaches $11,777, or 7.9% of gross. The county tax alone accounts for roughly $4,700 at this level, making it a substantial portion of total deductions.
How to maximize your take-home in Maryland
The county income tax is a fixed cost determined by where you live on December 31. If you are considering a move within Maryland, compare county rates: moving from Howard County (3.20%) to Garrett County (2.65%) on the same $100,000 salary saves roughly $530 per year in county tax alone.
Pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce both your state and county taxable income. At a combined state+county marginal rate near 7.95% (4.75% state + 3.20% county), a $23,500 deferral saves approximately $1,870 in state and county taxes combined, on top of federal savings.
Maryland offers a Retirement Tax Elimination Act benefit that excludes up to $50,000 of retirement income for individuals aged 65 and older. This does not affect current salary earners but is worth knowing if you plan to retire in Maryland.
How Maryland compares to other high-tax states
Maryland produces the lowest take-home pay at $100,000 ($71,549) among these ten states, primarily because of the county income tax layer. Without the county tax, Maryland's state-only rates (2% to 5.75%) would produce take-home pay comparable to Vermont or Rhode Island. The county tax adds roughly $3,100 at $100,000, which is the single factor that pushes Maryland to the bottom of this group. Workers who live in lower-rate counties like Worcester (2.25%) or Garrett (2.65%) fare noticeably better.
Filing status matters in Maryland
The calculator above supports Single, Married Filing Jointly and Head of Household. Married filers in Maryland generally benefit from wider bracket thresholds, so a couple with $150,000 in combined income pays less state tax than two single filers each earning $75,000. Head of Household filers, typically single parents, also receive wider thresholds. Always check the correct filing status for your situation because it affects both your federal and Maryland state tax simultaneously.
Also see: Maryland salary calculator for an interactive comparison with other states.
Questions
Maryland salary after taxes FAQ
What is the Maryland income tax rate for 2026?
Maryland has eight progressive state brackets from 2% to 5.75%, plus a mandatory county income tax of 2.25% to 3.20% depending on your county of residence. The combined top marginal rate can reach about 8.95%.
How much salary do you keep after taxes in Maryland?
On a $100,000 single-filer salary with a 3.20% county rate, you keep approximately $72,200 after federal tax, FICA, state tax and county tax in 2026.
What is the county income tax in Maryland?
Every Maryland county and Baltimore City levies a flat-rate income tax on the same taxable base as the state tax. Rates range from 2.25% (Worcester County) to 3.20% (Howard, Montgomery, Prince George's, Baltimore City and others).
Which Maryland county has the lowest income tax?
Worcester County has the lowest rate at 2.25%. Garrett County is 2.65%. Most large suburban counties around Baltimore and Washington DC charge 3.00% to 3.20%.
Does Maryland have a standard deduction?
Yes, but it is small: $3,350 for single filers and $6,700 for married filing jointly in 2026. This is much lower than the federal standard deduction.
How does Maryland compare to Virginia for salary after taxes?
Virginia has a simpler system with a top rate of 5.75% and no county income tax. A $100,000 salary takes home about $2,000 to $3,000 more in Virginia than in Maryland with a high county rate.
Can I reduce my Maryland tax with a 401(k)?
Yes. Pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce both your federal and Maryland state and county taxable income. A $23,500 deferral saves potentially $2,000+ in combined state and county tax.
What is the effective tax rate on $150,000 in Maryland?
A single filer earning $150,000 in Maryland (3.20% county) pays roughly $44,400 in total taxes (federal + FICA + MD state + county), for an effective total rate of about 29.6%. The state+county portion alone is approximately $10,700.
- Sources: Comptroller of Maryland (2026 brackets) · County rate schedule · IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 · SSA 2026 wage base · Tax Foundation 2026 state rates.
- 🔄 Last updated 2026-07-28 · Tax year 2026
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