How Iowa taxes your paycheck in 2026
Iowa uses a flat 3.8% income tax. On top of that, every Iowa worker pays federal income tax plus 6.2% Social Security (on the first $184,500 of 2026 wages) and 1.45% Medicare with no cap. This calculator applies all of it at once, so the take-home figure is the real one.
Iowa income tax brackets, 2026
Applied to taxable income — that is, your wages after the Iowa standard deduction. Single filer figures shown.
| Rate | Taxable income (single) |
|---|---|
| 3.8% | $0 and above |
Standard deduction: $16,100 single / $32,200 married.
What Iowa state tax costs at different salaries
Single filer, Iowa state income tax only — federal tax and FICA are on top of these figures.
| Annual salary | Iowa income tax | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $1,288 | 2.58% |
| $75,000 | $2,238 | 2.98% |
| $100,000 | $3,188 | 3.19% |
| $150,000 | $5,088 | 3.39% |
How Iowa compares with neighbouring states
State income tax owed by a single filer on a $75,000 salary — Iowa against the states around it:
| State | Tax on $75,000 | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa (this state) | $2,238 | 2.98% |
| Nebraska | $2,533 | 3.38% |
| Missouri | $2,588 | 3.45% |
| Illinois | $3,568 | 4.76% |
| Minnesota | $3,577 | 4.77% |
Iowa is the cheapest of this group at that salary — a real advantage if you can choose which side of a state line to live on. Where you physically work usually decides which state withholds, so a short commute across a border can change your take-home meaningfully.
Why your effective Iowa rate isn't 3.8%
On a $75,000 salary the headline rate is 3.8%, but the real bite is about 2.98%. Two things cause the gap. First, Iowa shelters the first $16,100 of income before any tax applies.
Iowa's shelter is close to the $16,100 federal standard deduction, so state and federal taxable income land in a similar place.
No local income tax in Iowa. No city or county levies its own income tax, so the figure above is your complete state and local income tax picture.
Federal taxes on top
Every Iowa worker also pays federal income tax plus 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare. Those rules are identical in all 50 states — see the main paycheck calculator for how FICA, the wage base, pre-tax deductions and FICA-exempt occupations work.
Nearby states
Compare Iowa with Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska — or see the full list of all 50 states and DC.