Maine Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Calculate sales tax in Maine. Maine has a 5.5% state sales tax rate and no local sales taxes. Based on current ME rates.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated October 19, 2026 · Methodology

$
%
Groceries (food for home)
Clothing

Total Tax

$5.50

Total with Tax

$105.50

Combined Rate

5.500%

Tax Breakdown

State Tax (5.50%)$5.50
Local Tax (0.00%)$0.00
Total Sales Tax$5.50
Total with Tax$105.50

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

Maine Sales Tax Guide

Maine charges a 5.5% state sales tax, and that is the whole rate everywhere in the state. Maine does not allow city or county add-on sales taxes, so the price you calculate in Portland is the same one you calculate in Bangor or a small coastal town. That single statewide rate makes Maine simpler than states where local surtaxes push the checkout total past the advertised figure.

Not everything is taxed at 5.5%. Maine exempts most grocery staples and prescription drugs, which keeps essential spending out of the tax base. Prepared food, restaurant meals, and lodging are taxed at higher special rates instead of the general 5.5%. When you buy from an out-of-state seller that does not collect Maine tax, you generally owe a matching use tax at the same 5.5% rate, reported to Maine Revenue Services, often on your income tax return.

Maine Sales Tax Details (2026)

State Sales Tax Rate 5.5%
Local Sales Taxes No
State Income Tax progressive (up to 9.15%)
Avg. Property Tax Rate 0.9%

Official Sources:

Maine Sales Tax FAQ

Does any Maine city add a local sales tax?
No. Maine has no local sales taxes, so the 5.5% state rate is the complete sales tax statewide. Whether you shop in Portland, Lewiston, or a rural county, the rate on a general taxable purchase is the same. This is unusual; many states layer city and county taxes on top of the state rate.
Are groceries and prescriptions taxed in Maine?
Most grocery staples for home preparation and prescription medications are exempt from Maine sales tax. Prepared and restaurant food is different and carries a higher meals tax rather than the 5.5% general rate. Reading Maine's grocery-staple definitions matters, since snack items and prepared deli food can fall outside the exemption.
What is Maine use tax and when do I owe it?
Use tax is the companion to sales tax: when you buy taxable goods from an out-of-state or online seller that does not charge Maine tax, you owe 5.5% use tax directly. Maine Revenue Services collects it, and individuals commonly report it on the annual income tax return. It prevents shopping across state lines from dodging the tax entirely.
Are restaurant meals and lodging taxed at 5.5%?
No, those carry separate, higher rates. Maine applies a meals tax to prepared food and restaurant sales and a lodging tax to short-term rentals and hotel stays, both above the 5.5% general rate. So a hotel bill or a sit-down dinner is taxed more heavily than a general retail purchase.

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