Bullion sales tax · Maine
Maine sales tax on gold and silver
Is gold taxed in Maine?
Yes.
Maine charges its 5.5% sales tax on gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion and coins at any amount; there is no precious-metals exemption.
- Investment gold & silver
- Taxable
- Order threshold
- None
- Metals covered
- None exempt
- Jewelry
- Taxed · about 5.5%
What's taxed in Maine
| What you're buying | Sales tax | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Gold and silver bars and rounds | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Maine. |
| Gold and silver bullion coins (Eagles, Maple Leafs, Krugerrands) | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Maine. |
| Platinum and palladium bullion (bars, rounds and coins) | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Maine. |
| Rare and graded (numismatic) coins | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Maine. |
| Jewelry | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Maine. |
| Medals, collectibles and accessories | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Maine. |
The rule, in plain English
Maine charges its 5.5% sales tax on gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion and coins at any amount; there is no precious-metals exemption.
What counts: Not applicable. Bullion and coins are ordinary tangible personal property taxed at the general 5.5% rate (36 M.R.S. 1811(1)(D), for sales on or after October 1, 2019).
Still taxed: Everything: bars, rounds, legal-tender bullion coins, numismatic coins, collectible paper money sold above face value, jewelry and accessories.
What you would pay: three Maine examples
| Purchase delivered to Maine | Sales tax |
|---|---|
| Silver coins, $500 | about $28 taxed like other goods |
| Gold coins, $5,000 | about $275 taxed like other goods |
| A gold necklace, $1,000 | about $55 jewelry is taxed |
Using Maine's 5.5% state rate plus the average local rate, 5.5% combined (Tax Foundation, January 2026). Your city or county rate may be higher or lower.
Recent changes in Maine
LD 372 (132nd Legislature), which would have exempted gold and silver coins and bullion from January 1, 2026, died between houses. The House rejected concurrence 68-72 and the bill was placed in the Legislative Files, so no exemption was enacted. Source
Maine and its neighbors
- New Hampshire No sales tax
Different rules next door: New Hampshire (no sales tax). Tax follows the delivery address, not where you live.
Buying from Bullion Trading LLC with delivery to Maine
No Maine sales tax is added at our checkout. For questions about use tax, ask a tax professional.
Orders ship insured and discreetly packed: USPS under $1,000, FedEx with adult signature from $1,000, usually within 2–3 business days after payment clears. Bank transfer and check are our best price; card and PayPal add 5% (up to $7,500).
Popular bullion delivered to Maine
The large price is the check/wire price; the card/PayPal price is listed under it. Prices follow the live spot price.
Selling gold in Maine
Selling gold to a dealer is not a retail purchase, so no sales tax applies. A profit is a capital gain: the IRS taxes gains on gold and silver bullion as collectibles, at up to 28% when held more than a year. Maine taxes the gain as ordinary income (top rate 9.15% in 2026).
Dealers have to report some larger sales to the IRS on Form 1099-B; keep your purchase receipts to show your cost.
We buy bullion at our counter at 20 West 47th Street in New York: walk in with a photo ID and we pay by same-day check. How selling to us works
Local taxes
Maine has no local sales taxes.
Common questions about Maine
Is gold taxed in Maine?
Yes. Maine charges its 5.5% sales tax on gold, silver, platinum and palladium bullion and coins at any amount; there is no precious-metals exemption.
Is silver taxed in Maine?
Yes. Maine taxes silver bullion and coins like other goods.
Is gold jewelry taxed in Maine?
Yes. Jewelry is taxed like other goods in Maine (about 5.5% on average with local tax), even when it is made of gold, silver or platinum.
Do I pay tax when I sell gold in Maine?
Selling gold to a dealer is not a retail purchase, so no sales tax applies. A profit is a capital gain: the IRS taxes gains on gold and silver bullion as collectibles, at up to 28% when held more than a year. Maine taxes the gain as ordinary income (top rate 9.15% in 2026).
Selling to a dealer
No sales tax
A gain on the sale
Taxed by the IRS as a collectible, up to 28% when held more than a year
Sources
- 36 M.R.S. § 1811 — Sales tax imposed on all tangible personal property sold at retail; 5.5% general rate (checked October 19, 2026)
- 36 M.R.S. § 1760 — Sales tax exemptions: no coin, bullion or precious-metal exemption (checked October 19, 2026)
- State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026 (table: State & Local Sales Tax Rates as of January 1, 2026) (Tax Foundation)
- 2026 Sales Tax Rates, Midyear Update (rates as of July 1, 2026) (Tax Foundation)
- 36 M.R.S. 5111 (Maine income tax rates incl. 5111(7) surcharge) (Maine Legislature)
- IRS Topic 409: capital gains and losses (collectibles rate)
How we research and check this guide: our method.