---
name: me-sales-tax
description: "Use this skill whenever asked about Maine sales and use tax. Trigger on phrases like \"Maine sales tax\", \"ME sales tax\", \"MRS\", \"36 M.R.S. §1811\". ALWAYS load us-sales-tax first."
license: AGPL-3.0-or-later (code) / OpenAccountants Guide License v1.0 (content)
metadata:
  source: openaccountants
  jurisdiction: US-ME
  category: tax
  quality: source-cited draft
  openaccountants_url: "https://openaccountants.com/skills/me-sales-tax"
  obligation: CT
---

# Maine Sales and Use Tax Skill v2.0

> **General reference only.** This skill is general tax/accounting reference material for AI-assisted workflows. It has not been reviewed for any specific person's facts, documents, elections, deadlines, residency, filing status, or local procedures. Do not rely on it to file, pay, amend, or take a tax position without review by a qualified professional in the relevant jurisdiction.

## Section 1 -- Quick reference

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Maine |
| State rate | 5.50% (general); 8.00% (short-term auto rental); 9.00% (lodging/prepared food) |
| Local taxes | None |
| Sourcing | Destination-based |
| Economic nexus | $100,000 OR 200 transactions |
| Tax authority | Maine Revenue Services (MRS) |
| Portal | https://www.maine.gov/revenue |
| SST member | No |
| Skill version | 2.0 |

## Section 3 -- Transaction pattern library

| Pattern | Taxable? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General TPP | TAXABLE 5.50% | |
| Clothing | TAXABLE | No exemption |
| Grocery food | EXEMPT | |
| Prepared food | TAXABLE 9.00% | Higher rate |
| Lodging | TAXABLE 9.00% | Higher rate |
| Short-term auto rental | TAXABLE 8.00% | |
| SaaS | NOT TAXABLE | Maine does not tax SaaS |
| Canned software (download) | TAXABLE | |
| Professional services | NOT TAXABLE | |
| Manufacturing equipment | EXEMPT | |
| Prescription drugs | EXEMPT | |
| Resale | EXEMPT | |

## Section 10 -- Prohibitions

- NEVER use the 5.50% rate for prepared food or lodging -- they have higher rates (9%).
- NEVER forget the 8% short-term auto rental rate.
- NEVER compute any number.

## Disclaimer

Informational only. Review by qualified professional required before filing.

---

## Disclaimer

This skill and its outputs are provided for informational and computational purposes only and do not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Open Accountants and its contributors accept no liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from the use of this skill. All outputs must be reviewed and signed off by a qualified professional (such as a CPA, EA, tax attorney, or equivalent licensed practitioner in your jurisdiction) before filing or acting upon.

The most up-to-date, verified version of this skill is maintained at [openaccountants.com](https://openaccountants.com). Log in to access the latest version, request a professional review from a licensed accountant, and track updates as tax law changes.

---

_Source: [OpenAccountants](https://openaccountants.com/skills/me-sales-tax) — open tax Guides for AI, reviewed by named CPAs/CAs/EAs. Quality: **source-cited draft**. For always-current figures and named-accountant backing, connect the OpenAccountants MCP server (`openaccountants-mcp`)._