Maryland · 2026 planning data
Maryland SUTA rate and employer cost for 2026
Maryland's sourced 2026 unemployment-insurance model uses a taxable wage base of $8,500 per employee and a 2.60% standard new-employer rate. The assigned rate can differ after an acquisition, experience rating, industry classification, or state assessment.
How the Maryland SUTA line is estimated
State unemployment tax applies only up to the annual UI wage base for each employee. For an employee earning at least $8,500, the planning calculation is:
min(UI-taxable wages, $8,500) × 2.60% = up to $221The standard sourced new-employer rate in the EmployerCost model is 2.60%. A transferred experience account, special industry rule, assessment, or employer notice can produce a different total.
What changes the real employer cost
- Maryland Tax Table A applies in 2026: the new-employer rate is 2.60% on the first $8,500 of wages.
- Experienced contributory employers range from 0.30% to 7.50%; use the assigned BEACON rate when available.
- Employer Social Security, Medicare, and FUTA remain separate federal cost lines.
- Workers compensation depends on class code, carrier, payroll exposure, and employer history.
- Health benefits, retirement contributions, payroll software, and HR administration depend on the employer's choices.
Use the calculator's custom SUTA field whenever an official notice supplies a different rate. Read the SUTA rate guide and employer payroll tax guide before relying on a planning result.
Maryland employer cost questions
What is the Maryland SUTA wage base for 2026?
The sourced taxable wage base used by EmployerCost is $8,500 per employee. Wages above that cap are not included in this SUTA line, but can still affect Social Security, Medicare, benefits, workers compensation, and other costs.
What rate should a new Maryland employer use?
The standard sourced new-employer rate in the EmployerCost model is 2.60%. A transferred experience account, special industry rule, assessment, or employer notice can produce a different total.
Is SUTA the full cost of a Maryland employee?
No. Start with salary, then add employer FICA, FUTA, SUTA, workers compensation, benefits, and payroll administration. The Maryland calculator keeps uncertain items as ranges.
Official sources
- Maryland Department of Labor 2026 Tax Table A
- U.S. Department of Labor — Significant Provisions of State UI Laws, effective January 2026
Verified against official sources July 30, 2026.
General planning information only. Not payroll, tax, legal, insurance, or HR compliance advice.