Maine Sales Tax Calculator
Figure the tax, the total, or the pre-tax price for any U.S. state or city rate
Maine keeps sales tax refreshingly simple. The state imposes a 5.5% statewide sales tax on most retail sales of tangible personal property and certain services — and that is the only rate you will ever pay anywhere in Maine. Unlike most states, Maine does not allow cities, counties, or municipalities to add their own local sales taxes. Whether you are shopping on Congress Street in Portland, at a hardware store in Bangor, or at a farm stand in Augusta, the combined rate is always 5.5%.
The Tax Foundation confirms Maine's average combined rate equals the base rate — 5.5% — making it one of the most predictable sales-tax environments in the country and one of the lowest combined rates nationwide.
Worked example: You buy a laptop for $1,000 in Portland, Maine. The sales tax is $1,000 × 5.5% = $55.00, so your total at checkout is $1,055.00. No hidden local surcharge — ever.
Notable exemptions help households stretch their dollars. Groceries (unprepared food items such as produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods) are exempt from sales tax. Prescription drugs are also exempt. However, prepared foods — restaurant meals, hot deli items, sandwiches — are taxed at a higher rate of 8%, not the standard 5.5%.
To use this calculator, enter the purchase price in the Amount field and the rate (5.5 for standard goods, 8 for restaurant meals) in the Rate field. Hit calculate and see the exact tax and total in seconds.
Practical example — Maine
A $500 appliance purchase in Bangor, Maine incurs exactly $27.50 in sales tax (5.5%), bringing the total to $527.50 — no local surcharge applies anywhere in the state.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Maine?
Maine's statewide sales tax rate is 5.5% on most taxable goods and services. There are no city or county sales taxes in Maine, so 5.5% is always the combined rate regardless of where in the state you shop.
Does Maine have local sales tax?
No. Maine prohibits municipalities and counties from imposing their own sales taxes. The 5.5% state rate is the only sales tax applied throughout Maine, which makes calculating your total at checkout very straightforward.
Are groceries taxed in Maine?
No — unprepared grocery staples such as fruit, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and most canned or packaged foods are exempt from Maine sales tax. However, prepared foods (restaurant meals, hot foods, sandwiches) are taxed at 8%, and candy and soda do not qualify for the grocery exemption.
What is the sales tax on restaurant meals in Maine?
Maine taxes prepared food and restaurant meals at 8%, which is higher than the standard 5.5% rate. This applies to meals sold at restaurants, cafes, food trucks, and hot deli counters. On a $50 restaurant bill the tax would be $4.00, for a total of $54.00.
Are prescription drugs exempt from Maine sales tax?
Yes. Prescription drugs are fully exempt from Maine's 5.5% sales tax. Over-the-counter medications, however, are generally taxable at the standard rate.