Maryland charges 2-5.75% + local state income tax plus local taxes in some areas. Use the w-4 withholding calculator pre-loaded with Maryland rates.
Open W-4 Withholding Calculator →Getting your W-4 right in Maryland is important because you need to coordinate federal withholding with Maryland's graduated (2-5.75% + local) state withholding. If your W-4 is set too conservatively, you lend the government an interest-free loan; too aggressively, and you face an underpayment penalty. Workers in Maryland localities with income tax need to account for that additional withholding layer. This calculator helps you dial in the right federal withholding amount given your Maryland state tax situation.
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 w-4 withholding 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.