State Benefit·Maine·🏛️Tax Benefits

Active-Duty Pay Income Tax Exemption

Military pay exempt from Maine state income tax for residents stationed outside Maine.

Verified May 12, 2026againstmaine.gov

At a glance

Benefit type
Tax Benefits — Maine
Who it's for
Active Duty
VA rating needed
No rating requirement
Where it applies
Maine
Last verified
May 12, 2026

What is Active-Duty Pay Income Tax Exemption?

Active-Duty Pay Income Tax Exemption is a Maine tax benefits benefit for active duty. Military pay exempt from Maine state income tax for residents stationed outside Maine.

Who qualifies

Active Duty
  • Through veteran sponsor (any rating)
  • Maine residency

How to apply

Apply through the official Maine agency.

Open application

Who is eligible

Eligibility

Maine resident service member who earned military compensation for service performed outside Maine pursuant to written military orders, where (1) the service is active-duty service in the active components of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard or Space Force and the permanent duty station during that service is located outside Maine; or (2) the service is active or reserve component (or Maine National Guard) service in support of a federal operational mission or a declared state or federal disaster response, when the orders are at federal direction or at the direction of the Governor of Maine. Per Maine Revenue Services, a "federal operational mission" is limited to activity in support of overseas deployment and excludes standard duty activity such as training and administrative activities.

What Active-Duty Pay Income Tax Exemption covers

Coverage

Subtraction (deduction) of qualifying military compensation from income, to the extent included in federal adjusted gross income and to the extent otherwise subject to Maine income tax. The deduction is limited to that portion of the tax year during which you were a Maine resident. No dollar or percentage cap applies.

Important to know

Authority: 36 M.R.S. § 5122(2)(LL). Per the Maine Revenue Services worksheet, it applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014.

How to apply for Active-Duty Pay Income Tax Exemption

How to apply

Claimed on Form 1040ME, Schedule 1, Line 2k (Income Modifications - Other Subtractions), reported via the Worksheet for Schedule 1, Line 2k, Line 2 ("Non-Maine active duty military pay").

Verified information & sources

Last verified: May 12, 2026

Official source: maine.gov

Compiled and fact-checked against the official source linked above. Benefit rules and dollar amounts change over time — always confirm current details at the official source before applying. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is a free, accredited advocate who can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.

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Frequently asked questions about Active-Duty Pay Income Tax Exemption

Who qualifies for Active-Duty Pay Income Tax Exemption?
Active-Duty Pay Income Tax Exemption is for Active Duty; Through veteran sponsor (any rating); maine residency. See the eligibility details on this page and confirm with the official source before applying.
How do I apply for Active-Duty Pay Income Tax Exemption?
Apply through the official source linked on this page. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.
Where can I verify Active-Duty Pay Income Tax Exemption?
Benefit rules and dollar amounts change, so always confirm current details at the official source linked on this page. A free, accredited county or state Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can also verify your eligibility and help you apply.

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