⚖️W2 vs 1099

Maryland W2 vs 1099 Calculator

Free Take-Home Pay Comparison — 2026

Maryland Tax Fact:

Maryland contractors face state rates up to 5.75% plus local county taxes of 2.25-3.2%.

Maryland also has local county income taxes averaging 3%.

W2 vs 1099 Take-Home Calculator

All 50 states · Federal + State + SE Tax · 2026 tax brackets

Income & Location

W2 Benefits (Annual Value)

W2 vs 1099 in Maryland: What You Need to Know

Maryland applies a state income tax rate of up to 5.75% in addition to federal taxes. Maryland also has local county income taxes averaging 3%.

For W2 employees in Maryland, both federal and state income taxes are withheld automatically from your paycheck, along with your 7.65% share of FICA taxes. Your employer pays the other 7.65%.

As a 1099 contractor in Maryland, you pay both the employee and employer portions of FICA (15.3% total) plus 5.75% state income tax and federal income tax. However, you can deduct half of your SE tax and up to 20% of qualified business income (QBI deduction).

The break-even point — where 1099 pay equals W2 take-home — is typically 20-30% above equivalent W2 pay in Maryland when accounting for taxes and benefits.

Other States

Free download

W-2 vs 1099 Decision Checklist

Get the free W-2 vs 1099 Decision Checklist (PDF) instantly, plus occasional tips and updates by email.

We only use your email for these updates. See our privacy policy.