Maryland charges 2-5.75% + local state income tax plus local taxes in some areas. Use the self-employment tax calculator pre-loaded with Maryland rates.
Open Self-Employment Tax Calculator →Freelancing in Maryland means stacking up to 5.75% state income tax on top of the 15.3% self-employment tax and federal income tax. Certain Maryland localities impose additional taxes on self-employment income, further raising your effective rate. The combined marginal rate for freelancers here can exceed 43% on income in the 22% federal bracket. Careful quarterly estimated payment planning is critical to avoid underpayment penalties. This calculator factors in Maryland's state tax and the deductible half of SE tax to give you an accurate picture.
Maryland uses a graduated income tax with brackets ranging from 2-5.75% + local. Lower income is taxed at lower rates, with the 5.75% top rate applying only to income in the highest bracket. This progressive structure means your effective state tax rate is always lower than the top marginal rate. In addition, some Maryland localities impose their own income tax, which stacks on top of the state rate. This is especially notable in areas like Baltimore and surrounding counties, which add 2.25-3.20%. Always check your local rate when calculating total tax liability.
The table below shows what you actually keep at five salary levels in Maryland, accounting for federal tax, FICA, and Maryland's graduated (2-5.75% + local) state tax plus estimated local taxes.
See how Maryland compares to other South states. Each link takes you to the self-employment tax calculator landing page for that state.
For a comprehensive breakdown of Maryland’s tax structure, salary comparisons, cost-of-living analysis, and more, visit the full Maryland take-home pay page.