Maryland Payroll Tax Calculator
What a Maryland employer pays on top of wages in 2026: Social Security, Medicare, FUTA at 0.6%, MD unemployment tax at the 2.6% new-employer rate, per paycheck and per year for 1 to 50 employees.
Reviewed by Slava Akulov, CEO & Co-Founder at Jupid · Last updated: October 2026
Pay type
Each employee is paid the amount above. Headcount sets which paid-leave employer shares apply.
Employer taxes per employee
$4,088
per year, $157 per paycheck
Effective employer tax rate: 8.18% of wages
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Breakdown per employee, per year
Social Security
6.2% to $184,500
$3,100.00
Medicare
1.45%, no cap
$725.00
FUTA
0.6% of $7,000
$42.00
MD SUTA (new employer)
2.6% of $8,500
$221.00
Withheld from each employee (not an employer cost)
Per year, before income tax withholding. State amounts assume the largest employee share the program allows.
FAMLI paid family and medical leave: Nothing is due for 2026. Contributions start with the first January 2027 payroll at 0.9% of wages up to the Social Security wage cap, split 0.45% employer and 0.45% employee. Employers with fewer than 15 employees owe only the employee half, which they may withhold.
Payroll taxes only. Workers' comp insurance, health coverage and other benefits are separate costs.
Payroll Taxes Maryland Employers Pay in 2026
For one employee paid $50,000 a year, a new Maryland employer pays about $4,088 in payroll taxes, or 8.18% on top of wages. Social Security and Medicare are most of it; the unemployment taxes are capped at their wage bases.
| Tax | Employer rate, 2026 | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 | Matches the employee's 6.2%. |
| Medicare | 1.45% of all wages | No employer share of the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax. |
| FUTA | 0.6% of the first $7,000 | Full 5.4% state credit; not a credit reduction state. |
| MD SUTA | 2.6% of the first $8,500 (new employer) | 2.45% plus 0.15% administrative fee. |
| FAMLI paid family and medical leave | Starts January 2027 | Nothing is due for 2026. Contributions start with the first January 2027 payroll at 0.9% of wages up to the Social Security wage cap, split 0.45% employer and 0.45% employee. Employers with fewer than 15 employees owe only the employee half, which they may withhold. Source |
Maryland is not on the U.S. Department of Labor list of potential 2026 credit reduction states. Only California and the U.S. Virgin Islands are, so Maryland employers keep the full 5.4% credit and pay 0.6% FUTA: $42 per employee per year. The final list is set after November 10, 2026.
A new Maryland employer pays 2.6% on the first $8,500of each employee's wages, up to $221.00 per employee in 2026. After the new-employer period, the state assigns an experience rate based on benefits charged to your account, so a stable workforce usually pays less. Once you get your rate notice, that rate replaces the one used here.
- Register for an unemployment tax account with Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance and file wage reports and SUTA quarterly.
- Register for Maryland income tax withholding (Maryland Comptroller) and deposit it on the schedule the state assigns.
- Deposit federal withholding, Social Security and Medicare monthly or semiweekly, file Form 941 quarterly (the Q3 2026 return is due November 2, 2026) and Form 940 for FUTA once a year (due February 1, 2027 for 2026).
What Changes for Maryland Employers in 2027
- The Social Security wage base rises to $192,300, so the employer share tops out at $11,922.60 per employee.
- FAMLI contributions begin January 1, 2027: 0.9% of wages up to the Social Security wage base ($192,300 in 2027), with an employer share of 0.45% at 15 or more employees. The first quarterly payment is due April 30, 2027.
- Experienced employers get a new Maryland unemployment tax rate for 2027 on their annual rate notice; use it from the first 2027 payroll.
Maryland Payroll Tax FAQ
More Payroll Tools for Maryland
Employee Cost Calculator
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Maryland Paycheck Calculator
See your employee's take-home pay after federal and state withholding.
Maryland Hourly Paycheck Calculator
Take-home pay for hourly staff, including overtime hours.
Maryland 1099 Tax Calculator
Compare with what a contractor owes in self-employment tax.
Payroll Tax Due Dates 2026
Form 941 and 940 deadlines and monthly vs. semiweekly deposits.
Payroll Tax Calculator
The national employer payroll tax calculator with every state's SUTA rate.
Payroll Tax Calculators for Other States
SUTA wage bases run from $7,000 to $78,200 and several states add paid-leave premiums. Pick a state to see its 2026 employer taxes.
Official References
- IRS Publication 15 (2026), Employer's Tax Guide
Social Security, Medicare and FUTA rates, deposit schedules and Form 941/940
- U.S. Department of Labor: FUTA credit reductions
Potential 2026 credit reduction states
- U.S. Department of Labor: Significant Provisions of State UI Laws, January 2026
Taxable wage base and new-employer rate for every state
- Maryland Department of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance
Maryland unemployment tax rates and registration
Estimates for tax year 2026, assuming every employee earns the same amount evenly through the year and the employer pays the minimum share of each paid-leave program. SUTA uses the 2026 new-employer rate; your assigned rate may differ. Rates checked against the agency sources above on October 30, 2026. Consult a payroll professional for filings.
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