Maine · ME · Money & taxes
Maine: Are groceries taxed?
Groceries exempt
Maine exempts grocery staples from its state sales tax.
Maine exempts 'grocery staples', meaning food products ordinarily eaten for nourishment. The definition leaves out alcohol, candy, soft drinks, bottled water, prepared food, and many ready-to-eat items such as snack foods, sandwiches, desserts and pastries, which are taxable. Bread is a grocery staple.
What the law says
Subject to the provisions of section 1760-C, no tax on sales or use may be collected upon or in connection with: ... 3. Grocery staples. Sales of grocery staples.
Sources
- 36 M.R.S. § 1760(3) Official · legislature.maine.gov
- 36 M.R.S. § 1752(3-B) Official · legislature.maine.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Maine Revenue Services
- Website
- maine.gov
How bordering states compare
- New Hampshire No state sales taxNew Hampshire has no general sales tax, so groceries are not taxed by the state.