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5 min read

Comprehensive Guide to Maine Payroll Taxes

US payroll

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Author

Shannon Ongaro

Last Update

July 25, 2025

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Table of Contents

Overview of payroll taxes in Maine

Paying unemployment insurance

Withholding personal income tax from your Maine employee

Paying Workers' Compensation in Maine

Withholding paid family and medical leave

Simplify US Payroll Tax Compliance with Deel

Key takeaways
  1. Employers need to cover unemployment insurance for their Maine workers.
  2. If you have employees in Maine, you must also pay the withholdings from your employees' wages to the state through Maine's online portal.
  3. Deel offers a comprehensive solution for US and international payroll management, simplifying the complex process of payroll compliance for businesses.

Understanding Maine payroll taxes is essential for staying compliant and avoiding penalties. Whether you're hiring your first employee or expanding operations, Maine requires employers to manage various payroll-related obligations, including unemployment insurance (UI), personal income tax (PIT), state workers’ compensation, and the new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program.

This guide breaks down Maine payroll taxes in clear terms so you can withhold, remit, and report confidently.

Overview of payroll taxes in Maine

Employers in Maine are responsible for managing several types of payroll taxes, including federal income tax, FICA taxes (Medicare and Social Security), and state payroll taxes. Maine does not impose additional local payroll taxes. Nonprofit organizations are subject to payroll taxes even if they are otherwise tax-exempt.

Related resources: State Income Taxes Explained: Your 2025 Guide

Paying unemployment insurance

Employers in Maine are responsible for paying unemployment insurance (UI) tax on behalf of their workers. UI, also known as the state unemployment insurance (SUI) tax, is a national program that provides temporary payments to eligible workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own.

Maine employers are charged UI at a rate between 0.30% and 6.27% on a taxable wage base of $12,000 per employee. New employers are taxed UI at 2.41%.

Unemployment insurance payments are due quarterly on April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31. The Maine Department of Labor (MDOL) administers unemployment insurance and provides the ReEmployME online portal and resources that make paying UI efficient for employers.

Alternatively, employers can mail the UC-1 form and payment to the Maine Department of Labor. Late filing may incur a penalty fee.

Employers can get further guidance on paying unemployment insurance on The Maine Department of Labor website.

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Withholding personal income tax from your Maine employee

In addition to Unemployment Insurance, your responsibility is also to withhold Personal Income Tax (PIT) from your employees' wages, then remit it to the state.

Personal Income Tax, also known as individual income tax or state income tax, is a tax on the income of Maine employees. Employees are charged PIT on their full wage at a rate of 5.8% to 7.15%. Maine employers are responsible for withholding this amount from employees' wages and remitting it to the state.

You can file and pay withheld PIT through Maine's online portal. You can also pay electronically via ACH debit or EFT with ACH credit.

Maine Revenue Services (MRS) oversees personal income tax, and can audit tax returns as well as the IRS. The Maine Department of Administrative and Financial Services provides further guidance to help you remain compliant on their FAQ page.

Paying Workers' Compensation in Maine

Businesses in Maine with one or more employees are required to pay for Workers' Compensation insurance, although some exemptions apply. Workers' Compensation is a form of insurance that provides coverage for an employee's injuries or illnesses that occur while they are performing their job duties.

To ensure compliance with Maine's regulations, employers must secure Workers' Compensation coverage from a qualified commercial carrier within the state.

To find a qualified commercial carrier and obtain the necessary Workers' Compensation insurance, the Maine Workers' Compensation Board offers valuable resources on its official website.

Related resources: A Guide to US Business Expansion Strategies

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Employers with at least one employee in Maine must withhold and remit payroll contributions for the Maine Paid Family and Medical Leave program. While contributions began on January 1, 2025, the benefits will not take effect until May 1, 2026.

  • For employers with 15 or more employees: The contribution rate is 1% of wages and they may deduct up to half (0.5%) of this contribution from employees
  • For employers with fewer than 15 employees: The contribution rate is 0.5%. An employer can deduct the entire contribution from employees’ wages

Quarterly wage reports for paid family and medical leave are due by the last day of the month following the end of each quarter. More guidance is available on the PFML FAQ page.

Related resources: State-by-State Guide to Maternity Leave in the United States

Simplify US Payroll Tax Compliance with Deel

While this article provides essential information on Maine state payroll and unemployment taxes, payroll compliance and state requirements can be complex and may extend beyond what is covered above. To streamline the process and ensure full compliance, companies can turn to Deel US Payroll.

Deel offers a comprehensive solution for managing US and international payroll, including payments, taxes, worker classification, and more. By leveraging Deel's expertise, businesses can optimize their US payroll processes and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

For more information, speak with a Deel expert to explore how our services can benefit your organization.

Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes and should not be treated as legal or tax advice. Consult a professional before proceeding.

FAQs

If you are a Maine resident, you must report and pay Maine income tax on all income, regardless of where it is earned. However, you may qualify for a credit for taxes paid to another state.

Yes. Employers must withhold personal income tax from employees’ wages and remit it to Maine Revenue Services. This is done through the Maine Employer Services Portal (MESP).

While this varies yearly, data from the IRS SOI and federal budget sources estimate that Maine pays several billion dollars annually in federal taxes across income, payroll, and business categories. It’s not broken down specifically by payroll alone.

Bonuses are considered supplemental wages and are subject to both federal and Maine state income tax withholding. Employers can withhold a flat rate or combine them with regular wages, based on IRS and Maine withholding rules.

Yes, if you purchase taxable items for use in Maine without paying sales tax (e.g., online or out-of-state purchases), you must pay Maine use tax. This typically affects individuals more than businesses, but it can be relevant for some employer reimbursements.

  • Groceries, prescription drugs, and some medical equipment are exempt from Maine sales tax.
  • Certain fringe benefits and insurance contributions may also be exempt from state income tax.

See the Maine Sales and Use Tax Law for full lists.

The Paid Family and Medical Leave payroll tax began in January 2025, at:

  • 1% of wages for employers with 15+ employees (shared with employees)
  • 0.5% for smaller employers (can be fully deducted from employees)

Benefits will begin in May 2026.

Labor charges for repair, installation, and maintenance services are generally taxable in Maine if they involve tangible personal property. However, employee wages for labor performed under an employment contract are not taxed directly, only through regular payroll taxes.

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About the author

Shannon Ongaro is a content marketing manager and trained journalist with over a decade of experience producing content that supports franchisees, small businesses, and global enterprises. Over the years, she’s covered topics such as payroll, HR tech, workplace culture, and more. At Deel, Shannon specializes in thought leadership and global payroll content.

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