How Iowa taxes your paycheck
Iowa has a flat 3.8% income tax for tax year 2026. Before the rate applies, the calculator subtracts a standard deduction of $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household and a personal exemption credit of $40 ($80 for a married couple) that reduces the tax itself.
Traditional 401(k) contributions are excluded from Iowa taxable wages, and Section 125 health premiums are excluded.
Figures are from IDR Announces 2026 Individual Income Tax and Interest Rates (tax year 2026).
Take-home pay examples in Iowa
A single filer earning $60,000 in Iowa, paid every two weeks, takes home about $1,875.45 per paycheck, or $48,762 a year. Of the $60,000, $5,020 goes to federal income tax, $4,590 to Social Security and Medicare, and $1,628 to Iowa income tax.
At $100,000, take-home pay is about $76,032 a year ($2,924.30 per paycheck), with $3,148 of Iowa income tax. A married couple filing jointly on one $100,000 salary keeps about $82,214, because of the larger standard deduction. The table below shows more salaries.
Other Iowa payroll deductions
Iowa has no state-mandated employee payroll contribution, such as disability or paid family leave insurance, included in this calculator. Your paycheck may still show voluntary or employer-specific deductions.
Local income taxes in Iowa
School district surtaxes and emergency medical services income surtaxes may apply. Local taxes are not included in the calculator, so subtract them separately if they apply to you.
Hourly pay in Iowa
A full-time worker earning $20 an hour (40 hours a week, $41,600 a year) in Iowa takes home about $1,333.72 every two weeks, or $666.86 a week on average, as a single filer. Iowa income tax takes $929 of that pay a year, an effective state rate of 2.233%. Choose Hourly wage in the calculator to enter your own rate and hours.
Iowa compared with neighboring states
On a $75,000 salary (single, no pre-tax deductions), take-home pay in Iowa is about $59,394 a year. It is higher in South Dakota, and lower in Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota. The comparison table below shows the difference in dollars. Where you live usually decides which state taxes your wages, but people who live in one state and work in another should check both states' rules on residency and credits.
What else to know about Iowa taxes
Iowa starts from federal taxable income, so the federal standard deduction applies. Iowa has a flat 3.8% rate for 2026.
Some school districts and counties add an income surtax that is not included here.
What this estimate does not include
Tax credits, itemized deductions, other income, overtime, bonuses, local income taxes and post-tax deductions are not included, and actual withholding follows your Form W-4 and Iowa's own withholding rules. Use it as a planning estimate. For the method and the federal rules, see the main paycheck calculator.