Free state income tax calculator 2026. Calculate state tax for all 50 states with current brackets, standard deductions, and exemptions. Compare take-home pay across states including no-income-tax states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee.
Enter your expected annual gross income — total taxable wages, salary, and compensation.
Select your primary state of residence or work from the 50-state dropdown menu.
Select a comparison/relocation state (e.g., California vs. Texas or New York vs. Florida) to instantly benchmark cross-border tax savings.
The calculator automatically applies the statutory 2026 progressive tax brackets, flat tax rates, or zero-tax parameters based on Department of Revenue guidelines.
Click "Calculate State Tax" to view total state tax liability, effective state tax rate, and take-home pay after state withholding.
Toggle between Annual, Monthly, and Biweekly views to model per-paycheck impact.
Inspect the bracket breakdown table (for progressive states) to see exactly how each income tier is taxed.
State income tax systems in the United States vary substantially across jurisdictions. As of 2026, nine states levy no personal wage income tax (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming). Note that Washington levies an excise tax on long-term capital gains over $262,000, and New Hampshire taxes dividend and interest income only (fully phasing out by 2027). Thirteen states utilize single-rate flat taxes ranging from 2.5% (Arizona) to 5.0% (Massachusetts). The remaining states employ progressive graduated brackets ranging from 1.0% up to 13.3% (California top bracket for million-dollar earners). Local municipal income taxes in select cities (such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Detroit) apply on top of state levies.
A single software engineer earning $120,000 moves from San Francisco, California to Austin, Texas. In California, after a $5,363 standard deduction, taxable income is $114,637. California progressive brackets yield $7,317.84 in state income tax (effective rate 6.10%). In Texas, personal state income tax is $0.00 under the Texas Constitution. Relocation generates an immediate annual take-home increase of $7,317.84 ($609.82/month), before accounting for differing local sales and municipal property tax burdens.
A single financial analyst in New York earns $160,000. New York State grants an $8,000 standard deduction, leaving $152,000 in taxable income. Calculating through NY progressive tiers (4.0% to 6.25% top bracket): State tax equals $8,960.00 (effective rate 5.60%). Note: If the employee resides within New York City (NYC), local personal income tax adds an additional progressive surtax of 3.078% to 3.876% (approx. $5,500 extra), raising total state and municipal tax to nearly $14,500.
A registered nurse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania earns $85,000 gross. Pennsylvania enforces a constitutional flat tax of 3.07% on gross compensation with no statutory standard deduction. State tax = $85,000 × 0.0307 = $2,609.50 (effective rate 3.07%). Net take-home after state tax = $82,390.50. Local municipalities and school districts in PA levy an additional local earned income tax (EIT), typically 1.0% to 3.0% (or 3.75% for City of Philadelphia residents).
An employee earning $90,000 compares residing in Chicago, Illinois versus Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Illinois levies a flat 4.95% on taxable income after a $2,600 basic personal exemption ($87,400 × 4.95% = $4,326.30, effective rate 4.81%). In Wisconsin, after an estimated $13,830 standard deduction, progressive rates (3.54% to 5.30%) yield approximately $3,975.00 in state tax. Wisconsin delivers roughly $351/year lower income tax at $90k, despite utilizing a graduated bracket structure.
A retired individual in Orlando, Florida receives $50,000 in private pension benefits, $30,000 in traditional 401(k) withdrawals, and $15,000 in capital dividends, totaling $95,000. Florida levies no individual state income tax on earned wages, retirement pensions, Social Security, or dividends. Total Florida state tax liability is $0.00. By contrast, residing in a state like Minnesota or Vermont could trigger between $4,500 and $6,200 in state income taxes on the same retirement cash flow.
A corporate director in Princeton, New Jersey earns $600,000. New Jersey operates a highly progressive bracket schedule (1.4% to 10.75%). With a $1,000 standard deduction, taxable income is $599,000. Progressive calculations across 6 brackets yield $42,654.50 in NJ gross income tax (effective rate 7.11%). For income between $500,000 and $1,000,000, New Jersey's marginal rate reaches 8.97%, and 10.75% on taxable income exceeding $1,000,000.
Find answers to the most common questions about state tax calculator.
Nine states have no general personal income tax on earned wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Note: Washington levies a 7.0% excise tax on long-term net capital gains exceeding $262,000 (with real estate and retirement accounts exempt), and New Hampshire's interest and dividends tax fully phases out to 0% by January 1, 2027.
The highest top marginal state individual income tax rates in 2026 are: (1) California at 13.3% (includes 1.0% Mental Health Services tax on income exceeding $1M); (2) Hawaii at 11.0%; (3) New York at 10.9% (combined state top tier for high earners, plus NYC local tax up to 3.876%); (4) New Jersey at 10.75%; (5) Oregon at 9.9%; and (6) Minnesota at 9.85%.
Thirteen states enforce a single flat tax rate across all taxable income tiers: Arizona (2.5%), Pennsylvania (3.07%), Indiana (3.05%), Kentucky (4.0%), Michigan (4.25%), Colorado (4.4%), Arkansas (4.4%), Mississippi (4.4%), North Carolina (4.5%), Utah (4.65%), Illinois (4.95%), Massachusetts (5.0%), and Georgia (5.39%). In recent years, states have increasingly shifted from multi-bracket progressive systems to uniform flat rate structures.
Generally, you must file a tax return in the state where you physically work (non-resident return) and also in the state where you legally reside (resident return). To avoid double taxation, your home state typically grants a tax credit for income taxes paid to the work state. Furthermore, many neighboring states maintain reciprocal agreements (e.g., PA-NJ, DC-MD-VA, IL-IN-WI-MI-KY) allowing cross-border commuters to pay income tax exclusively to their state of residence.
Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), the federal itemized deduction for State and Local Taxes (SALT) — which combines state income tax (or general sales tax) plus local property taxes — is capped at a maximum of $10,000 per year ($5,000 for married filing separately). In high-tax states such as California, New York, and New Jersey, taxpayers earning above $100,000 frequently hit this cap, preventing them from deducting their full state tax liability on federal Form 1040.
The vast majority of states (over 38 states plus Washington D.C.) completely exempt Social Security retirement benefits from state taxation. Less than 10 states currently tax Social Security benefits to any degree (including Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont), and nearly all provide income-tested exclusions or senior exemptions.
This tool calculates state-level personal income tax. Certain metropolitan areas levy significant local wage and earned income taxes that must be added: New York City (3.078%–3.876%), Philadelphia (3.75% for residents), Detroit (2.4%), Baltimore and Maryland counties (2.25%–3.2%), and various Ohio municipal districts (1.5%–2.5%).
Remote workers are generally taxed by their home state of legal domicile. However, several states enforce the "Convenience of the Employer" rule (including New York, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, and Delaware). Under this rule, if your employer is located in New York but you choose to work remotely from Florida for your personal convenience, New York State claims the legal right to tax 100% of your wages as NY-sourced income.
Calculations and computational models on QuickBizCalc are verified against published regulatory standards and statutory tax tables:
Publication 15-T (Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods) & Publication 15 (Employer's Tax Guide).
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA 29 U.S.C. § 207) regulations on overtime hours, recordkeeping, and minimum wage.
OASDI taxable maximum wage base limits and statutory FICA tax rates (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare).
Peer-reviewed by credentialed CPAs and SPHR consultants. For specific advice, consult a licensed tax attorney or accountant.
Total annual wages or taxable compensation.
Applies 2026 state tax brackets & standard deduction.
Benchmark against low-tax or no-tax states (e.g. TX, FL, WA).
