# Maryland paycheck calculator (2026)

Maryland W-2 employees (county piggyback tax is not in this estimate) comparing to DC or Virginia.

Maryland’s state wage tax is graduated with a 5.75% top rate after a standard deduction and a personal exemption. The county piggyback tax — often around three percentage points depending on the county — is not added, so a Montgomery or Prince George’s stub will usually show more local tax than this page. The product is for US W-2 employees comparing Maryland, DC, and Virginia take-home, not Form 502. Federal tax is 2026 IRS; FICA uses the $184,500 wage base. Sources include the Tax Foundation 2026 state table. Do not treat the net as a cost-of-living ranking.

This is a W-2 style withholding approximation, not a full Maryland Form resident return. We annualize your pay, subtract pretax 401(k) and section 125 health premiums from federal wages (health premiums also reduce FICA wages), apply the 2026 IRS standard deduction, then apply Maryland’s published rate structure. We do not model local city or county income taxes, itemized deductions, or most credits.

Use the calculator to compare pay frequencies (hourly through annual), pretax 401(k) as a percent or a dollar amount per paycheck, and optional extra federal withholding. Last reviewed against IRS, SSA, and Tax Foundation 2026 publications on August 24, 2026.

Figures are for tax year 2026. If your employer uses a different state withholding method (percentage method vs. wage-bracket tables), your live paycheck can differ by a few dollars even when annual liability is similar.

## Tax model notes

- Kind: progressive
- (none)


## Sample estimate ($80,000 single, no 401(k))

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $8,770.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $3,436.38
- Net / take-home: $61,673.63 (effective tax 22.9%)
- Per paycheck net: $61,673.63 (1 periods)

Label: engine estimate, not a pay stub.

## FAQ

### Does Maryland have a state income tax on wages?

Yes. Maryland has a graduated state income tax with a top rate of 6.5% on taxable wage income in 2026. Local income taxes, if any, are not included in this estimate.

### What Maryland income tax rate does this calculator use for 2026?

The official graduated brackets published for 2026 (Tax Foundation compilation of state statutes), with a top marginal rate of 6.5%.

### Is this my actual take-home pay?

No. It is an estimate of typical W-2 withholding. It omits local taxes (except a note on New York City), most credits (including the federal Child Tax Credit), unemployment insurance, wage-garnishment, and employer-specific benefits. Use it to plan, not to file.

### Does a 401(k) contribution reduce Social Security tax?

Usually no. Traditional 401(k) deferrals reduce federal (and often state) taxable wages, but they remain subject to Social Security and Medicare. Pre-tax health insurance premiums under a cafeteria plan generally reduce FICA wages as well.

## Related

- [Virginia](https://takehomecash.com/virginia-paycheck-calculator/index.md)
- [District of Columbia](https://takehomecash.com/district-of-columbia-paycheck-calculator/index.md)
- [Pennsylvania](https://takehomecash.com/pennsylvania-paycheck-calculator/index.md)
- [Delaware](https://takehomecash.com/delaware-paycheck-calculator/index.md)