MD-WV Tax Reciprocity 2026

MD-WV reciprocity serves the Eastern Panhandle - Martinsburg/Charles Town WV residents commuting to Hagerstown/Frederick MD and the MARC rail corridor toward the DC metro.

Quick answer: Yes - MD and WV have a reciprocal tax agreement. MD residents working in WV file form WV/IT-104R and pay only MD tax. WV residents working in MD file form MW507 (claiming the reciprocal exemption) and pay only WV tax.

How It Works Both Directions

ScenarioForm To FileResult
Live MD, work WVWV/IT-104R (to skip WV)No WV withholding. Pay MD tax only.
Live WV, work MDMW507 (to skip MD)No MD withholding. Pay WV tax only.

Worked Example

Nina lives in Martinsburg WV, works in Hagerstown MD, earns $64,000. With reciprocity: she files MW507 with her MD employer claiming the WV reciprocal exemption. MD withholds $0 - both state tax AND the county piggyback tax, since the county tax rides on the state tax. WV withholds ~$2,880. She files only a WV IT-140.

Step-by-Step: Claim the Exemption

  1. Download the work-state exemption form (WV form WV/IT-104R for MD-residents-working-in-WV; MD form MW507 (reciprocal exemption line) for WV-residents-working-in-MD).
  2. Fill in name, SSN, home address (must be in the reciprocity state), and current date.
  3. Submit to HR/payroll at your employer.
  4. Verify on your next paystub that work-state tax withholding is $0.
  5. Update your home-state W-4 to make sure you withhold enough for full income tax.
  6. File only a resident return in your home state next April (unless you have non-wage work-state income).

OBBBA 2026 Note

OBBBA 2026 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) raised the federal SALT cap to $40,000. This matters for reciprocity commuters who itemize: your full home-state income tax is now more likely to be fully deductible on federal Schedule A, making the state-level tax difference between your home and work state a real after-tax driver of commute value. Check each state rate: MD top rate 5.75% state + 2.25-3.2% county, WV top rate 4.82% top (2025).

FAQ

Which form does a West Virginia resident working in Maryland file?

File MD form MW507 (Employee’s Maryland Withholding Exemption Certificate) with your Maryland employer, completing the line certifying you are a WV resident exempt under reciprocity. Both MD state and MD county withholding stop.

Which form does a Maryland resident working in West Virginia file?

File WV form WV/IT-104R (Certificate of Nonresidence) with your West Virginia employer. WV withholding stops; Maryland state plus your county piggyback tax are withheld instead.

Does the WV resident also escape Maryland county tax?

Yes. Maryland’s county income tax (2.25%-3.2%) piggybacks on the state tax, so a WV resident exempt under reciprocity owes neither. Total MD withholding should be $0.

Do MARC train commuters from Martinsburg to DC qualify under this page?

Not this agreement - working in DC is governed by DC’s rules, and DC exempts all nonresidents (file D-4A with a DC employer). This MD-WV agreement covers WV residents whose work state is Maryland, e.g., Hagerstown or Frederick employers.

What if Maryland withheld before I claimed the exemption?

File a Maryland nonresident return (Form 505) reporting the wages as exempt under reciprocity to recover the withholding, then file the corrected MW507 with payroll. WV residents owe WV tax on the wages either way - budget for the catch-up payment.

Model Your Take-Home

See exact post-reciprocity paycheck with MD or WV withholding.

Paycheck Calculator →

Run the numbers for each state: Maryland Income Tax Calculator · West Virginia Income Tax Calculator

Other reciprocity pairs:
PA-OH · PA-WV · PA-VA · PA-IN · OH-KY · OH-MI · Full matrix

Tax calculations are estimates for educational and informational purposes only. This site does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax laws change frequently. Always consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Data sourced from IRS publications and official state tax authority websites.

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