Iowa Take-Home Pay Calculator 2026
Quick Answer: In 2026, Iowa has a flat 3.80% income tax. On a gross annual salary of $75,000, a single W-2 filer takes home approximately $59,354, while married joint filers take home about $62,996. Use the paycheck calculator below to estimate your exact net earnings.
What is the state tax in Iowa?
Iowa levies a flat 3.80% income tax on W-2 wages. Standard deduction shields a portion from tax.
What do you keep on a $75,000 salary?
Single W-2 filers retain about 79.1% of their gross paycheck, leaving $59,354 net.
How does FICA payroll tax apply?
A flat 6.2% is deducted for Social Security (up to $184,500) and 1.45% is deducted for Medicare.
Are OBBBA tax shelters applicable?
Yes. The federal overtime tax deduction helps W-2 earners shield their half-time overtime premiums from income tax.
How Does Iowa Tax Your Paycheck in 2026?
Your net take-home pay depends on federal income tax brackets, FICA payroll taxes, and state income tax codes. Iowa has a flat 3.80% income tax on personal wages. Standard deductions for 2026 are set at $16 100 for single W-2 filers and $32 200 for married joint filers, which reduce taxable income before tax brackets apply.
Federally, tax brackets are progressive, ranging from 10% to 37% (Rev. Proc. 2025-32). FICA taxes are also flat, with 6.2% Social Security (up to $184,500) and 1.45% Medicare.
What Do You Keep: Paycheck Breakdown in Iowa?
The table below outlines how much you keep at different gross annual salaries. These calculations assume a single W-2 filer with a standard deduction and no pre-tax retirement or health insurance contributions:
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home Pay | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $1,288 | $3,825 | $41,067 | 17.9% |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $2,238 | $5,738 | $59,354 | 20.9% |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $3,188 | $7,650 | $75,992 | 24.0% |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $5,088 | $11,475 | $108,703 | 27.5% |
- Federal tax$13,17013%
- Iowa tax$3,1883%
- FICA$7,6508%
- Take-home$75,99276%
- Gross$100,000
What Iowa-specific taxes affect your take-home pay?
Iowa, the Hawkeye State, taxes wages at a single flat 3.80% rate in 2026. Iowa replaced its former graduated brackets with this flat rate effective January 1, 2025, so any source still showing nine brackets or a progressive scale is out of date.
Local income tax: county EMS and school district surtaxes
There is no city income tax in Iowa, but two residency-based surtaxes can apply on your annual return. Six counties levy a 1% Emergency Medical Services (EMS) income surtax: Appanoose, Cass, Pocahontas, Sac, Shelby, and Winnebago. Many Iowa school districts also impose an income surtax, capped at 20% of state tax owed. Both are settled on your Iowa return, not deducted from each paycheck, so confirm whether your county or district levies one.
Withholding form, reciprocity, and wage context
- Withholding form: Iowa uses Form IA W-4 (44-019), filed with your employer.
- Reciprocity: Iowa has an agreement with Illinois, so cross-border commuters are taxed only by their home state.
- Unemployment (SUI/SUTA): Administered by Iowa Workforce Development; the 2026 taxable wage base is $20,400 with a 1.0% new-employer rate. This is an employer tax, not withheld from employees.
- 2026 minimum wage: $7.25 per hour ($4.35 tipped).
- Context: Iowa median household income was about $75,059 (Census, 2020-2024).
Federal income tax, Social Security (up to the $184,500 wage base in 2026), and Medicare apply on top of the 3.80% state rate.
How Do You Calculate Your Iowa Paycheck Step-by-Step?
Want to calculate your paycheck manually? Follow this ordered step-by-step list:
- Determine your gross annual wages (or wages per pay period).
- Subtract pre-tax deductions like traditional 401(k) contributions (up to $23,500) and health premiums.
- Subtract your federal standard deduction ($16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married joint filers) to find your federal taxable income.
- Apply progressive 2026 federal income tax brackets to calculate your federal tax.
- Subtract your state standard deduction (if any) to find state taxable income, and apply the flat rate or progressive brackets of Iowa.
- Compute FICA payroll taxes: 6.2% for Social Security on wages up to $184,500, and 1.45% for Medicare.
- Subtract all calculated taxes and FICA from your gross pay to find your net take-home salary.
How Does the 2026 Federal Deduction Affect Overtime in Iowa?
Under the federal OBBBA overtime tax deduction (valid for tax years 2025 through 2028), the 0.5x premium portion of your time-and-a-half overtime rate is exempt from federal income tax. This deduction is capped at $12,500 for single W-2 filers and $25,000 for married couples filing jointly. You still owe FICA and state income taxes on this premium portion. To calculate your overtime premium tax savings, visit our dedicated No Tax on Overtime Calculator.
How Does Iowa Compare to Neighboring States?
Comparing income taxes across neighboring states helps evaluate job offers and geographical cost advantages: