Maine · Cash Charitable Donations
Cash Charitable Donations in Maine (2026)
Deduct cash donations to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations up to 60% of AGI. Maine has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 9.15%, so a Maine filer's combined marginal rate on the next dollar at $64,767 of income is about 18.75% (12% federal + 6.75% ME).
2026 savings example for Maine
Planning estimate for a single filer earning $64,767 (Maine median household income in LevyIO's state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income. Federal tax uses the 2026 IRS brackets after the $16,100 standard deduction; ME tax uses the state brackets in LevyIO's dataset and assumes the state follows the federal treatment.
Estimated total savings
$938
Federal savings
$600
$5,592 → $4,992 · 12% bracket
ME state savings
$338
$3,052 → $2,714 · 6.75% marginal
Combined marginal rate
18.75%
≈ $188 saved per $1,000 deducted
Federal × Maine marginal rates (2026, single)
Gross-income ranges include the federal standard deduction. The ME column is the state marginal rate at the midpoint of each range. The last column is the tax saved per $1,000 deducted at that combined rate.
| Federal bracket | Gross income (single) | ME marginal | Combined | Per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $16,100 - $28,500 | 5.8% | 15.8% | $158 |
| 12% | $28,500 - $66,500 | 6.75% | 18.75% | $188 |
| 22% | $66,500 - $121,800 | 7.15% | 29.15% | $292 |
| 24% | $121,800 - $217,875 | 7.15% | 31.15% | $312 |
| 32% | $217,875 - $272,325 | 7.15% | 39.15% | $392 |
| 35% | $272,325 - $656,700 | 7.15% | 42.15% | $422 |
| 37% | Over $656,700 | 7.15% | 44.15% | $442 |
Eligibility & forms
Taxpayers who donate cash to qualified charities
- Must itemize
- 60% AGI limit for cash
- Written acknowledgment for $250+
Federal forms: Schedule A
Maine filing notes
Maine sets its own standard deduction ($15,700 single for 2026). Property Tax Fairness Credit helps offset high property taxes. Compare to neighboring New Hampshire which has no income tax.
Common mistakes: No written receipt; Donating to non-qualified organizations.
Frequently asked questions
How much can the Cash Charitable Donations save a Maine taxpayer in 2026?
In LevyIO's example, a single filer with $64,767 of income (the Maine median household income in our state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income saves about $600 in 2026 federal tax (12% marginal bracket) plus about $338 in Maine tax (6.75% state marginal rate), roughly $938 combined. It is a planning estimate computed from the 2026 IRS brackets and LevyIO's ME bracket data, not a survey figure.
What is the Maine income tax rate for 2026?
Maine has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 9.15%. The ME standard deduction in LevyIO's dataset is $15,700 single / $31,400 married. Three brackets 5.8%-7.15% plus a 2% surcharge above $1M single ($1.5M joint) from 2026 (9.15% top). Standard deduction $15,700 single. Estate tax ($6.8M). Property Tax Fairness Credit.
Who qualifies for the Cash Charitable Donations in Maine?
Taxpayers who donate cash to qualified charities. The federal rules are the same in every state; the requirements are: Must itemize; 60% AGI limit for cash; Written acknowledgment for $250+. Maine filers should confirm on the ME return whether the state follows the federal treatment.
Which forms do I file to claim the Cash Charitable Donations?
Federal: Schedule A. Maine: check the Maine Revenue Services instructions for the matching state schedule. Common mistakes: No written receipt; Donating to non-qualified organizations.
Cash Charitable Donations in other states
Sources
Reviewed 2026-09-17. Estimates are educational planning figures computed from the IRS 2026 inflation adjustments and LevyIO's state bracket dataset; they are not tax advice.