Maryland Paycheck Calculator (2026)

Employers use the IRS Publication 15-T percentage method with the elections on your Form W-4: filing status, whether Step 2 is checked, Step 3 credits, and any Step 4 adjustments. That produces an amount to withhold each pay period before Social Security, Medicare, and any state or local tax are applied.

FICA is Social Security tax (6.2% of wages up to the annual Social Security wage base) plus Medicare tax (1.45% of all wages, with an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000 in a year). Both are withheld on every US paycheck regardless of which state you work in, because they fund federal programs rather than a state one.

It is an estimate for planning, not a substitute for your pay stub. Your actual withholding depends on the exact elections on file with your employer, your specific pay dates, and any mid-year changes to your deductions — the calculator applies the published federal and state formulas to the numbers you enter.

Because the line usually includes your county tax too. Maryland withholds state tax (4.75% or more of taxable income) and your county's local income tax (usually 3.20% in 2026) together, so a combined rate of about 8% is normal. This calculator shows the two parts separately.

Yes, if you live in Maryland. Every county and Baltimore City levies a local income tax on residents, and there is no opt-out. The rate depends on where you live, not where you work. If you live in another state and work in Maryland, you generally pay a 2.25% special nonresident tax instead.

Most counties charge 3.20%, including Montgomery, Prince George's, Baltimore County, Howard and Baltimore City. Dorchester and Kent charge 3.30%, Harford 3.06%, Carroll and Charles 3.03%, Washington 2.95%, Cecil 2.74%, Garrett 2.65%, Talbot 2.40% and Worcester 2.25%. Anne Arundel (2.70% to 3.20%) and Frederick (2.25% to 3.20%) set rates by income.

Use the Personal Exemption Worksheet on page 2 of the MW507. Generally you claim one for yourself, one for your spouse if filing jointly, and one for each dependent, with additional amounts for age 65 or older and blindness. Each exemption reduces your withholding base by $3,200 a year. The value of exemptions shrinks at higher incomes, so the worksheet limits them once federal adjusted gross income passes $100,000 ($150,000 joint).

Maryland added two top brackets: 6.25% on taxable income between $500,000 and $1 million and 6.5% above $1 million for single filers ($600,000 and $1.2 million for joint filers). The standard deduction was also changed by 2025 legislation; for withholding the Comptroller uses $3,400. Allegany and Kent counties changed their local rates for 2026.

No. Maryland withholding wages follow federal withholding wages, so traditional 401(k), 403(b) and 457 deferrals, cafeteria plan health premiums and HSA contributions all lower your Maryland taxable wages and therefore both the state and county tax withheld.

In January 2027. The contribution rate will be 0.9% of wages up to the Social Security wage base, split equally, so employees pay 0.45% and employers pay 0.45%. No FAMLI contributions are deducted from 2026 paychecks, and benefits are scheduled to begin in 2028.

A bonus paid with your regular pay is added to that paycheck and withheld through the normal percentage method. For a lump-sum annual bonus paid on its own, the Comptroller's guide says to withhold at the top state rate of 6.5% plus your county's top local rate, for example 9.7% for a 3.20% county.

$15.00 an hour statewide. Howard, Montgomery and Prince George's counties have their own minimum wage laws; in Howard County it is $16.00 an hour for all employers from July 1, 2026.