Maine Sales Tax for Contractors (2026): Who Pays on a Home Remodel
Whether a Maine contractor charges sales tax on a home remodel, who pays on materials, and three jobs worked at 5.5%.
Not tax advice. General information from each state's revenue department, checked Oct 29, 2026. Rates shown are the state rate; city and county tax is extra where it applies. The facts of your job and contract can change the answer; for a specific job, ask a tax professional in your state.
The rule in Maine
Materials only
You pay tax on materials when you buy them and charge the homeowner none.
5.5%
5.5%, no local tax
Itemizing or time and materials
If title passes to the customer before install, you sell the materials and charge tax. Billing every customer for time, materials and tax shows that.
None
Source: Maine Revenue Services Instructional Bulletin 4 (MRS bulletin, rev. Dec 22, 2025)
“pays a sales or use tax when purchasing the materials”
Three jobs, worked
| Job | Customer | You pay |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom $12,000 job, $5,000 materials | $0 | $275 |
| Kitchen $40,000 job, $15,000 materials | $0 | $825 |
| Addition $90,000 job, $35,000 materials | $0 | $1,925 |
On the kitchen: The customer pays no sales tax. You pay $825 on $15,000 of materials at 5.5%, and build it into the price.
Maine sales tax questions
Do contractors charge sales tax in Maine?
Not on a home remodel. The contractor pays tax on materials when buying them and charges the homeowner none.
Is labor taxable in Maine?
Not for remodeling a home.
What rate do contractors pay on materials in Maine?
5.5%, no local tax. You pay it when you buy, like any buyer.
Compare other states
How we checked
We read each state's sales tax rule for construction contractors on the revenue department or legislature site, and its 2026 state rate. Two independent research passes covered all 50 states and DC, and a third reviewer checked the result. Where a state's own page would not load, the row names the copy we read. Last checked .
This guide explains the general rule for remodeling an owner-occupied home. It is not tax advice.