How many allowances should I claim in Maine?
On Maine's W-4ME, a single filer with no dependents usually claims 1 and a married couple 2, plus one for each dependent. Each allowance takes $5,300 a year off the wages Maine withholding is figured on. On a $60,000 salary paid every two weeks, one allowance more than that raises each paycheck by about $13.76. Claiming fewer means more withheld now and a bigger refund later.
How to count your allowances on the W-4ME
The W-4ME worksheet gives 1 allowance for yourself if no one else can claim you, 1 for your spouse if you file jointly, 1 if you file as head of household, and 1 for each dependent who qualifies for the federal child tax credit or credit for other dependents. Each allowance takes $5,300 a year off the wages withholding is figured on.
If your spouse works or you hold two jobs, the worksheet lets you enter 0 for your spouse to avoid under-withholding. At high wages Maine phases allowances out, so extra allowances stop lowering withholding.
If you don't have a valid W-4ME on file, your employer withholds as if you are single with zero allowances.
Maine withholding by number of allowances
Single filer earning $60,000 a year, paid every two weeks, federal W-4 with no adjustments. The highlighted row is the usual count for a single filer with no dependents.
| Allowances | Maine tax withheld | Take-home pay |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $112.40 | $1,814.14 |
| 1 | $98.64 | $1,827.90 |
| 2 | $84.88 | $1,841.66 |
| 3 | $71.12 | $1,855.42 |
| 4 | $57.89 | $1,868.65 |
| 5 | $46.07 | $1,880.47 |
Married couple on one $100,000 income, paid every two weeks:
| Allowances | Maine tax withheld | Take-home pay |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | $165.45 | $3,073.39 |
| 1 | $151.69 | $3,087.15 |
| 2 | $137.93 | $3,100.91 |
| 3 | $124.18 | $3,114.67 |
| 4 | $112.10 | $3,126.75 |
| 5 | $100.27 | $3,138.57 |
Should you claim more or fewer?
Allowances only change how much is withheld during the year. Your actual Maine tax is settled on your state return. Claim more than you qualify for and you may owe at tax time. Claim fewer and you get the difference back as a refund. If you would rather keep the count simple, most forms also let you ask for an extra dollar amount from each paycheck.
The federal Form W-4 dropped allowances in 2020, so your federal and Maine forms work differently. See how many allowances to claim and how to fill out a W-4. To see your own numbers, open the Maine paycheck calculator and set the allowances under the state form step.
Sources
Maine Revenue Services, Form W-4ME (2026) and Maine Revenue Services, withholding tables and instructions. Withholding figures come from the same 2026 formulas the calculator uses; see how we calculate.