Maine sales tax guide Maine sales tax guide

Maine

Standard rate

The standard sales tax rate in Maine for 2024 is 5.5%.

 

Reduced rate

There is no reduced sales tax rate in Maine.

 

The Lovat sales tax compliance platform

 

Sales of tax-free products and services

Some tax-free products and services in Maine include:

  • Food items
  • Medical items
  • Printed items
  • Donated merchandise
  • Building materials
  • Commerce items
  • Agriculture and animals
  • Vehicles
  • Fuel and utilities
  • Manufacturing
  • Pine Tree Development Zones

 

Who is obliged to register sales tax in Maine

When you sell in Maine and qualify as a dealer under the definition, you need to be registered to collect and pay sales tax in Maine.

 

Threshold

Starting July 1, 2018, out-of-state dealers with sufficient physical or economic presence for establishing nexus in Maine must register to collect sales tax. This includes online sellers or remote sellers that have $100,000 in sales annually in the state or more than 200 transactions in the state.

Merchant thresholds by state

Marketplace thresholds by state

The special rules are applicable to the SAAS business.

Software as Service Tax Thresholds by state.

 

Online Marketplaces

If the marketplace seller is registered in State for their sales, and the marketplace facilitator collects and pays the sales tax itself,  the marketplace seller is exempt from sales tax.

But marketplace sellers must receive the statement from a facilitator.

 

Sales tax payment and filing date

Depending on your tax liability, determine your filing frequency – either seasonal, monthly, quarterly, semiannual, or annual:

  • Seasonal – With special permission;
  • Annual – $0 to $4.16;
  • Semiannual – $4.17 to $100.00;
  • Quarterly – $100.01 to $600.00;
  • Monthly – $600.01 and up.

Returns are always due on the 15th day of the month following the reporting period.  If the filing due date falls on a weekend or holiday, sales tax is due the next day.

 

Penalty and interest

  • Late Filing Penalty – 10% of the tax due or $25;
  • Late Payment Penalty – 1% of the tax due per month or cut (maximum – 25%).

 

Discount

 

Maine Sales Tax Nexus

  • Physical Nexus: Businesses establish a physical Nexus in Maine by having a physical presence, such as an office, warehouse, or sales representatives operating in the state. Significant in-state activities trigger tax obligations.
  • Economic Nexus: Maine’s economic Nexus threshold is $100,000 in gross sales or 200 separate transactions in the state during the current or previous calendar year. Remote sellers exceeding this threshold must collect and remit sales tax.

 

Maine Sales Tax Holiday

Maine currently does not have any sales tax holidays.

 

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