Maine's state sales tax rate is 5.5%. When city and county taxes are added, the average combined rate across the state is 5.5%, and rates can reach as high as 5.5% in some areas. Use the calculator above to find the exact tax and total for any purchase.
- State rate: 5.5% - average combined (state + local): 5.5%
- Groceries: Exempt | Prescription drugs: Exempt
- Maine has no local sales taxes, so the 5.5% state rate applies uniformly. Groceries, prescription drugs, and OTC medications are all exempt.
- The national average combined rate is 7% (Tax Foundation, 2026).
How to calculate Maine sales tax
Enter your ZIP code in the calculator above for the exact local rate at your address - the tool matches it instantly and auto-fills the rate. Without a ZIP, it defaults to Maine's 5.5% average combined rate. At that average, a $100 item costs $105.50 total.
The formula is straightforward:
- Tax amount = Pre-tax price x (Rate / 100)
- Total price = Pre-tax price + Tax amount
To reverse the calculation (find the pre-tax price from a total you already paid), switch to Remove tax mode. The formula is: Pre-tax price = Total / (1 + Rate / 100).
The default rate in the calculator is 5.5% - Maine's statewide average combined rate. If you know your specific city or county rate, enter it in the rate override field for a more precise result. City rates for Maine's major areas are listed in the table below.
Maine sales tax rates 2026
Maine's tax structure puts it below the national average combined rate of 7%. Here is a breakdown of the rate structure (Tax Foundation, 2026):
| Rate type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State rate | 5.5% | Applies statewide on all taxable items |
| Average combined | 5.5% | State + typical local - what most residents pay |
| Maximum combined | 5.5% | Highest rate found anywhere in the state |
| National average | 7% | For comparison |
What is exempt from Maine sales tax?
Not all purchases are taxed equally in Maine. Key exemptions reduce the tax burden on essentials. Prescription drugs are exempt - a standard exemption in most states. Groceries are exempt, which has a significant impact on household budgets.
| Category | Maine treatment |
|---|---|
| Groceries / food | Exempt |
| Prescription drugs | Exempt |
| OTC medications | Exempt |
| Clothing | Taxable |
Exemptions are set at the state level but may not override local taxes. When a category is "exempt" from the state rate, local taxes may still apply in some jurisdictions. Always confirm with your local tax authority for high-value purchases.
Remove tax: find the pre-tax price
If you have a receipt and want to know what the item cost before tax, you need the reverse sales tax calculation. This is common when comparing advertised prices, calculating business expenses, or verifying a charge.
The reverse formula divides the total by (1 + rate). At Maine's 5.5% average rate: Pre-tax = Total / 1.0550. For example, if you paid $105.50, the pre-tax price was $100.00 and the tax was $5.50.
Use the Remove tax mode in the calculator above. Enter what you paid, and the tool instantly splits out the pre-tax price and the tax amount.
Maine sales tax tips
A few practical tips for shopping and doing business in Maine:
- Use the combined rate, not just the state rate. The 5.5% state rate understates what you actually pay in most of Maine. The 5.5% average combined rate is the more useful benchmark.
- Check for tax-free weekends. Several states run annual tax holidays on clothing and school supplies. Check the Maine Department of Revenue website for current year dates.
- Exemption documentation. If you are buying exempt items (resale, manufacturing, agriculture), you typically need to provide an exemption certificate. Keep copies for your records.
- Online purchases. If you buy from an online seller with economic nexus in Maine, Maine sales tax applies at your delivery address rate. Small sellers below the economic nexus threshold (usually $100,000 in annual sales) may not collect it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Maine?
Maine's state sales tax rate is 5.5%. When local taxes are factored in, most residents pay around 5.5% - the statewide average combined rate. Rates can reach as high as 5.5% in some cities or counties.
Are groceries taxed in Maine?
Groceries in Maine are: Exempt. Prescription drugs are exempt, and OTC medications are exempt.
How do I calculate sales tax in Maine?
Multiply the pre-tax price by the decimal form of the rate. At Maine's 5.5% average: Tax = Price x 0.0550. A $50 item has a $2.75 tax, making the total $52.75. Use the calculator on this page for instant results.
How do I remove sales tax from a total in Maine?
Divide the total by 1.0550 to get the pre-tax price. For example, if you paid $105.50, the pre-tax price was $100.00. Switch to Remove Tax mode in the calculator above to do this automatically.
How does Maine's sales tax compare to other states?
Maine's 5.5% average combined rate is below the national average of 7%. See our US sales tax map to compare all 50 states side by side.
Maine sales tax rates by city 2026
Combined sales tax rates vary significantly across Maine's cities and counties. The figures below represent the total combined rate (state + county + city) as of 2026. Use the rate override field in the calculator to apply your exact local rate.
| City | Combined rate | vs. state avg |
|---|---|---|
| Portland | 5.5% | avg |
| Augusta | 5.5% | avg |
| Auburn | 5.5% | avg |
| Freeport | 5.5% | avg |
| Lewiston | 5.5% | avg |
| Bangor | 5.5% | avg |
| Biddeford | 5.5% | avg |
| Castine | 5.5% | avg |
| Limestone | 5.5% | avg |
| New Portland | 5.5% | avg |
| Orono | 5.5% | avg |
| Scarborough | 5.5% | avg |
| South Portland | 5.5% | avg |
| Waterville | 5.5% | avg |
| Westbrook | 5.5% | avg |
| Abbot | 5.5% | avg |
| Acton | 5.5% | avg |
| Addison | 5.5% | avg |
| Albion | 5.5% | avg |
| Alfred | 5.5% | avg |
| Alna | 5.5% | avg |
| Andover | 5.5% | avg |
| Anson | 5.5% | avg |
| Ashland | 5.5% | avg |
| Athens | 5.5% | avg |
| Aurora | 5.5% | avg |
| Bailey Island | 5.5% | avg |
| Baileyville | 5.5% | avg |
| Bar Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| Bar Mills | 5.5% | avg |
| Bass Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| Bath | 5.5% | avg |
| Beals | 5.5% | avg |
| Belfast | 5.5% | avg |
| Belgrade | 5.5% | avg |
| Belgrade Lakes | 5.5% | avg |
| Benedicta | 5.5% | avg |
| Bernard | 5.5% | avg |
| Berwick | 5.5% | avg |
| Bethel | 5.5% | avg |
| Biddeford Pool | 5.5% | avg |
| Bingham | 5.5% | avg |
| Birch Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| Blaine | 5.5% | avg |
| Blue Hill | 5.5% | avg |
| Boothbay | 5.5% | avg |
| Boothbay Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| Bowdoin | 5.5% | avg |
| Bowdoinham | 5.5% | avg |
| Bradford | 5.5% | avg |
| Bradley | 5.5% | avg |
| Bremen | 5.5% | avg |
| Brewer | 5.5% | avg |
| Bridgewater | 5.5% | avg |
| Bridgton | 5.5% | avg |
| Bristol | 5.5% | avg |
| Brooklin | 5.5% | avg |
| Brooks | 5.5% | avg |
| Brooksville | 5.5% | avg |
| Brookton | 5.5% | avg |
| Brownfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Brownville | 5.5% | avg |
| Brownville Junction | 5.5% | avg |
| Brunswick | 5.5% | avg |
| Bryant Pond | 5.5% | avg |
| Buckfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Bucksport | 5.5% | avg |
| Burlington | 5.5% | avg |
| Burnham | 5.5% | avg |
| Bustins Island | 5.5% | avg |
| Buxton | 5.5% | avg |
| Calais | 5.5% | avg |
| Cambridge | 5.5% | avg |
| Camden | 5.5% | avg |
| Canaan | 5.5% | avg |
| Canton | 5.5% | avg |
| Cape Elizabeth | 5.5% | avg |
| Cape Neddick | 5.5% | avg |
| Cape Porpoise | 5.5% | avg |
| Caratunk | 5.5% | avg |
| Caribou | 5.5% | avg |
| Carmel | 5.5% | avg |
| Casco | 5.5% | avg |
| Center Lovell | 5.5% | avg |
| Chamberlain | 5.5% | avg |
| Charleston | 5.5% | avg |
| Chebeague Island | 5.5% | avg |
| Cherryfield | 5.5% | avg |
| China Village | 5.5% | avg |
| Clayton Lake | 5.5% | avg |
| Cliff Island | 5.5% | avg |
| Clinton | 5.5% | avg |
| Columbia Falls | 5.5% | avg |
| Coopers Mills | 5.5% | avg |
| Corea | 5.5% | avg |
| Corinna | 5.5% | avg |
| Corinth | 5.5% | avg |
| Cornish | 5.5% | avg |
| Cranberry Isles | 5.5% | avg |
| Crouseville | 5.5% | avg |
| Cumberland Center | 5.5% | avg |
| Cumberland Foreside | 5.5% | avg |
| Cushing | 5.5% | avg |
| Cutler | 5.5% | avg |
| Damariscotta | 5.5% | avg |
| Danforth | 5.5% | avg |
| Danville | 5.5% | avg |
| Deer Isle | 5.5% | avg |
| Denmark | 5.5% | avg |
| Dennysville | 5.5% | avg |
| Detroit | 5.5% | avg |
| Dexter | 5.5% | avg |
| Dixfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Dixmont | 5.5% | avg |
| Dover Foxcroft | 5.5% | avg |
| Dresden | 5.5% | avg |
| Dryden | 5.5% | avg |
| Durham | 5.5% | avg |
| Eagle Lake | 5.5% | avg |
| East Andover | 5.5% | avg |
| East Baldwin | 5.5% | avg |
| East Blue Hill | 5.5% | avg |
| East Boothbay | 5.5% | avg |
| East Dixfield | 5.5% | avg |
| East Livermore | 5.5% | avg |
| East Machias | 5.5% | avg |
| East Millinocket | 5.5% | avg |
| East Newport | 5.5% | avg |
| East Orland | 5.5% | avg |
| East Parsonsfield | 5.5% | avg |
| East Poland | 5.5% | avg |
| East Vassalboro | 5.5% | avg |
| East Waterboro | 5.5% | avg |
| East Wilton | 5.5% | avg |
| East Winthrop | 5.5% | avg |
| Easton | 5.5% | avg |
| Eastport | 5.5% | avg |
| Eddington | 5.5% | avg |
| Edgecomb | 5.5% | avg |
| Eliot | 5.5% | avg |
| Ellsworth | 5.5% | avg |
| Errol | 5.5% | avg |
| Estcourt Station | 5.5% | avg |
| Etna | 5.5% | avg |
| Eustis | 5.5% | avg |
| Exeter | 5.5% | avg |
| Fairfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Falmouth | 5.5% | avg |
| Farmingdale | 5.5% | avg |
| Farmington | 5.5% | avg |
| Farmington Falls | 5.5% | avg |
| Fort Fairfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Fort Kent | 5.5% | avg |
| Fort Kent Mills | 5.5% | avg |
| Frankfort | 5.5% | avg |
| Franklin | 5.5% | avg |
| Freedom | 5.5% | avg |
| Frenchboro | 5.5% | avg |
| Frenchville | 5.5% | avg |
| Friendship | 5.5% | avg |
| Fryeburg | 5.5% | avg |
| Gardiner | 5.5% | avg |
| Garland | 5.5% | avg |
| Georgetown | 5.5% | avg |
| Gorham | 5.5% | avg |
| Gouldsboro | 5.5% | avg |
| Grand Isle | 5.5% | avg |
| Grand Lake Stream | 5.5% | avg |
| Gray | 5.5% | avg |
| Greenbush | 5.5% | avg |
| Greene | 5.5% | avg |
| Greenville | 5.5% | avg |
| Greenville Junction | 5.5% | avg |
| Greenwood | 5.5% | avg |
| Guilford | 5.5% | avg |
| Hallowell | 5.5% | avg |
| Hampden | 5.5% | avg |
| Hancock | 5.5% | avg |
| Hanover | 5.5% | avg |
| Harborside | 5.5% | avg |
| Harmony | 5.5% | avg |
| Harpswell | 5.5% | avg |
| Harrington | 5.5% | avg |
| Harrison | 5.5% | avg |
| Hartland | 5.5% | avg |
| Hebron | 5.5% | avg |
| Hinckley | 5.5% | avg |
| Hiram | 5.5% | avg |
| Holden | 5.5% | avg |
| Hollis Center | 5.5% | avg |
| Hope | 5.5% | avg |
| Houlton | 5.5% | avg |
| Howland | 5.5% | avg |
| Hudson | 5.5% | avg |
| Hulls Cove | 5.5% | avg |
| Island Falls | 5.5% | avg |
| Isle Au Haut | 5.5% | avg |
| Isle Of Springs | 5.5% | avg |
| Islesboro | 5.5% | avg |
| Islesford | 5.5% | avg |
| Jackman | 5.5% | avg |
| Jay | 5.5% | avg |
| Jefferson | 5.5% | avg |
| Jonesboro | 5.5% | avg |
| Jonesport | 5.5% | avg |
| Kenduskeag | 5.5% | avg |
| Kennebunk | 5.5% | avg |
| Kennebunkport | 5.5% | avg |
| Kents Hill | 5.5% | avg |
| Kingfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Kingman | 5.5% | avg |
| Kittery | 5.5% | avg |
| Kittery Point | 5.5% | avg |
| Lagrange | 5.5% | avg |
| Lambert Lake | 5.5% | avg |
| Lebanon | 5.5% | avg |
| Lee | 5.5% | avg |
| Leeds | 5.5% | avg |
| Levant | 5.5% | avg |
| Liberty | 5.5% | avg |
| Limerick | 5.5% | avg |
| Limington | 5.5% | avg |
| Lincoln | 5.5% | avg |
| Lincolnville | 5.5% | avg |
| Lincolnville Center | 5.5% | avg |
| Lisbon | 5.5% | avg |
| Lisbon Falls | 5.5% | avg |
| Litchfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Little Deer Isle | 5.5% | avg |
| Livermore | 5.5% | avg |
| Livermore Falls | 5.5% | avg |
| Long Island | 5.5% | avg |
| Lovell | 5.5% | avg |
| Lubec | 5.5% | avg |
| Machias | 5.5% | avg |
| Machiasport | 5.5% | avg |
| Madawaska | 5.5% | avg |
| Madison | 5.5% | avg |
| Manchester | 5.5% | avg |
| Mapleton | 5.5% | avg |
| Mars Hill | 5.5% | avg |
| Matinicus | 5.5% | avg |
| Mattawamkeag | 5.5% | avg |
| Mechanic Falls | 5.5% | avg |
| Meddybemps | 5.5% | avg |
| Medway | 5.5% | avg |
| Mexico | 5.5% | avg |
| Milbridge | 5.5% | avg |
| Milford | 5.5% | avg |
| Millinocket | 5.5% | avg |
| Milo | 5.5% | avg |
| Minot | 5.5% | avg |
| Monhegan | 5.5% | avg |
| Monmouth | 5.5% | avg |
| Monroe | 5.5% | avg |
| Monson | 5.5% | avg |
| Monticello | 5.5% | avg |
| Moody | 5.5% | avg |
| Morrill | 5.5% | avg |
| Mount Desert | 5.5% | avg |
| Mount Vernon | 5.5% | avg |
| Naples | 5.5% | avg |
| New Gloucester | 5.5% | avg |
| New Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| New Limerick | 5.5% | avg |
| New Sharon | 5.5% | avg |
| New Sweden | 5.5% | avg |
| New Vineyard | 5.5% | avg |
| Newcastle | 5.5% | avg |
| Newfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Newport | 5.5% | avg |
| Newry | 5.5% | avg |
| Nobleboro | 5.5% | avg |
| Norridgewock | 5.5% | avg |
| North Anson | 5.5% | avg |
| North Berwick | 5.5% | avg |
| North Bridgton | 5.5% | avg |
| North Haven | 5.5% | avg |
| North Jay | 5.5% | avg |
| North Monmouth | 5.5% | avg |
| North Turner | 5.5% | avg |
| North Vassalboro | 5.5% | avg |
| North Waterboro | 5.5% | avg |
| North Waterford | 5.5% | avg |
| North Yarmouth | 5.5% | avg |
| Northeast Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| Norway | 5.5% | avg |
| Oakfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Oakland | 5.5% | avg |
| Ocean Park | 5.5% | avg |
| Ogunquit | 5.5% | avg |
| Old Orchard Beach | 5.5% | avg |
| Old Town | 5.5% | avg |
| Oquossoc | 5.5% | avg |
| Orient | 5.5% | avg |
| Orland | 5.5% | avg |
| Orrington | 5.5% | avg |
| Orrs Island | 5.5% | avg |
| Owls Head | 5.5% | avg |
| Oxbow | 5.5% | avg |
| Oxford | 5.5% | avg |
| Palermo | 5.5% | avg |
| Palmyra | 5.5% | avg |
| Paris | 5.5% | avg |
| Parsonsfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Passadumkeag | 5.5% | avg |
| Patten | 5.5% | avg |
| Peaks Island | 5.5% | avg |
| Pemaquid | 5.5% | avg |
| Pembroke | 5.5% | avg |
| Penobscot | 5.5% | avg |
| Perham | 5.5% | avg |
| Perry | 5.5% | avg |
| Peru | 5.5% | avg |
| Phillips | 5.5% | avg |
| Phippsburg | 5.5% | avg |
| Pittsfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Plymouth | 5.5% | avg |
| Poland | 5.5% | avg |
| Port Clyde | 5.5% | avg |
| Portage | 5.5% | avg |
| Porter | 5.5% | avg |
| Pownal | 5.5% | avg |
| Presque Isle | 5.5% | avg |
| Princeton | 5.5% | avg |
| Prospect Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| Randolph | 5.5% | avg |
| Rangeley | 5.5% | avg |
| Raymond | 5.5% | avg |
| Readfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Richmond | 5.5% | avg |
| Robbinston | 5.5% | avg |
| Rockland | 5.5% | avg |
| Rockport | 5.5% | avg |
| Rockwood | 5.5% | avg |
| Round Pond | 5.5% | avg |
| Roxbury | 5.5% | avg |
| Rumford | 5.5% | avg |
| Sabattus | 5.5% | avg |
| Saco | 5.5% | avg |
| Saint Agatha | 5.5% | avg |
| Saint Albans | 5.5% | avg |
| Saint David | 5.5% | avg |
| Saint Francis | 5.5% | avg |
| Salsbury Cove | 5.5% | avg |
| Sandy Point | 5.5% | avg |
| Sanford | 5.5% | avg |
| Sangerville | 5.5% | avg |
| Sargentville | 5.5% | avg |
| Seal Cove | 5.5% | avg |
| Seal Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| Searsmont | 5.5% | avg |
| Searsport | 5.5% | avg |
| Sebago | 5.5% | avg |
| Sebasco Estates | 5.5% | avg |
| Sebec | 5.5% | avg |
| Sedgwick | 5.5% | avg |
| Shapleigh | 5.5% | avg |
| Shawmut | 5.5% | avg |
| Sheridan | 5.5% | avg |
| Sherman | 5.5% | avg |
| Shirley Mills | 5.5% | avg |
| Sinclair | 5.5% | avg |
| Skowhegan | 5.5% | avg |
| Smithfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Smyrna Mills | 5.5% | avg |
| Solon | 5.5% | avg |
| Sorrento | 5.5% | avg |
| South Berwick | 5.5% | avg |
| South Bristol | 5.5% | avg |
| South Casco | 5.5% | avg |
| South China | 5.5% | avg |
| South Freeport | 5.5% | avg |
| South Gardiner | 5.5% | avg |
| South Paris | 5.5% | avg |
| South Thomaston | 5.5% | avg |
| South Windham | 5.5% | avg |
| Southport | 5.5% | avg |
| Southwest Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| Springfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Springvale | 5.5% | avg |
| Spruce Head | 5.5% | avg |
| Squirrel Island | 5.5% | avg |
| Stacyville | 5.5% | avg |
| Standish | 5.5% | avg |
| Steep Falls | 5.5% | avg |
| Stetson | 5.5% | avg |
| Steuben | 5.5% | avg |
| Stillwater | 5.5% | avg |
| Stockholm | 5.5% | avg |
| Stockton Springs | 5.5% | avg |
| Stoneham | 5.5% | avg |
| Stonington | 5.5% | avg |
| Stratton | 5.5% | avg |
| Strong | 5.5% | avg |
| Sullivan | 5.5% | avg |
| Sumner | 5.5% | avg |
| Sunset | 5.5% | avg |
| Surry | 5.5% | avg |
| Swans Island | 5.5% | avg |
| Temple | 5.5% | avg |
| Tenants Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| Thomaston | 5.5% | avg |
| Thorndike | 5.5% | avg |
| Topsfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Topsham | 5.5% | avg |
| Trevett | 5.5% | avg |
| Troy | 5.5% | avg |
| Turner | 5.5% | avg |
| Union | 5.5% | avg |
| Unity | 5.5% | avg |
| Van Buren | 5.5% | avg |
| Vanceboro | 5.5% | avg |
| Vassalboro | 5.5% | avg |
| Vienna | 5.5% | avg |
| Vinalhaven | 5.5% | avg |
| Waite | 5.5% | avg |
| Waldoboro | 5.5% | avg |
| Wallagrass | 5.5% | avg |
| Walpole | 5.5% | avg |
| Warren | 5.5% | avg |
| Washburn | 5.5% | avg |
| Washington | 5.5% | avg |
| Waterboro | 5.5% | avg |
| Waterford | 5.5% | avg |
| Wayne | 5.5% | avg |
| Weld | 5.5% | avg |
| Wells | 5.5% | avg |
| Wesley | 5.5% | avg |
| West Baldwin | 5.5% | avg |
| West Bethel | 5.5% | avg |
| West Boothbay Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| West Enfield | 5.5% | avg |
| West Farmington | 5.5% | avg |
| West Forks | 5.5% | avg |
| West Kennebunk | 5.5% | avg |
| West Minot | 5.5% | avg |
| West Newfield | 5.5% | avg |
| West Paris | 5.5% | avg |
| West Poland | 5.5% | avg |
| West Rockport | 5.5% | avg |
| Westfield | 5.5% | avg |
| Whitefield | 5.5% | avg |
| Whiting | 5.5% | avg |
| Wilton | 5.5% | avg |
| Windham | 5.5% | avg |
| Windsor | 5.5% | avg |
| Winn | 5.5% | avg |
| Winter Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
| Winterport | 5.5% | avg |
| Winthrop | 5.5% | avg |
| Wiscasset | 5.5% | avg |
| Woolwich | 5.5% | avg |
| Wytopitlock | 5.5% | avg |
| Yarmouth | 5.5% | avg |
| York | 5.5% | avg |
| York Beach | 5.5% | avg |
| York Harbor | 5.5% | avg |
To find the combined rate for a specific address in Maine, use the Avalara rate lookup tool or check your city or county government website.
Maine sales tax rates by county 2026
County-level combined rates across Maine, sourced from Avalara AvaTax (updated 2026-04). The combined rate shown is the median across ZIP codes in each county - individual addresses may vary by special district.
| County | Combined rate | vs. state avg |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin County | 5.5% | avg |
| Aroostook County | 5.5% | avg |
| Coos County | 5.5% | avg |
| Cumberland County | 5.5% | avg |
| Franklin County | 5.5% | avg |
| Hancock County | 5.5% | avg |
| Kennebec County | 5.5% | avg |
| Knox County | 5.5% | avg |
| Lincoln County | 5.5% | avg |
| Oxford County | 5.5% | avg |
| Penobscot County | 5.5% | avg |
| Piscataquis County | 5.5% | avg |
| Sagadahoc County | 5.5% | avg |
| Somerset County | 5.5% | avg |
| Waldo County | 5.5% | avg |
| Washington County | 5.5% | avg |
| York County | 5.5% | avg |