Iowa Paycheck Calculator 2026
Calculate your exact take-home pay in Iowa after federal and state taxes (Iowa has a state income tax).
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Where does your paycheck go?
In Iowa, you work until Mar 20 just to cover taxes.
Workers in Alaska are done by Mar 9.
Take-home at every salary level
| Salary | Federal | FICA | State | Take-home | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,420 | $2,295 | $528 | $25,757 | 14.1% |
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $908 | $33,412 | 16.5% |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $1,288 | $41,067 | 17.9% |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $1,668 | $48,722 | 18.8% |
| $80,000 | $8,770 | $6,120 | $2,428 | $62,682 | 21.6% |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $3,188 | $75,992 | 24.0% |
| $125,000 | $18,734 | $9,563 | $4,138 | $92,565 | 25.9% |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $5,088 | $108,703 | 27.5% |
| $200,000 | $36,734 | $14,339 | $6,988 | $141,939 | 29.0% |
| $250,000 | $51,304 | $15,514 | $8,888 | $174,294 | 30.3% |
Iowa Income Tax Overview
Iowa has a flat income tax rate of 3.8% for 2026 — a dramatic simplification from what was previously a nine-bracket progressive system with a top rate of 8.53%. Iowa's ongoing tax reform has been one of the most significant state income tax reductions in the country in recent years. The flat rate uses the federal standard deduction ($16,100 for single filers), which is among the most generous state standard deductions available. No Iowa city charges a local income tax on wages, so workers in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and every other city all face the same effective rate statewide.
Here's what a single Iowa filer keeps in 2026. On a $50,000 salary, take-home is approximately $40,877 per year ($3,406/month) — with state income tax totaling $1,288. At $80,000, take-home is $62,150 ($5,179/month), with the state taking $2,428. At $100,000, you keep $75,460 ($6,288/month), with $3,188 going to Iowa. At $150,000, take-home is $108,094 ($9,008/month), with the state taking $5,088. Iowa's generous standard deduction means the effective rate is roughly 3.2–3.4% for most middle-income earners.
Compared to neighboring Wisconsin (up to 5.3% for most earners), Iowa workers save roughly $1,200 per year at $80,000 in state income tax. Against Illinois (4.95% flat, lower standard deduction), Iowa workers save approximately $1,500 per year at $80,000. Minnesota workers at $80,000 pay roughly $3,900 more in state taxes than Iowa workers. South Dakota to the west has no income tax, meaning South Dakota workers take home about $2,428 more per year at $80,000.
Watch out: Iowa's flat rate of 3.8% is the 2026 number, and the legislature has committed to further reductions — the rate is expected to continue declining in subsequent years under the existing reform legislation. If you're doing multi-year financial planning, use 3.8% for 2026 but expect future years to be slightly lower. Iowa does not have a tax on Social Security benefits for most retirees (there is an exemption), which makes it more attractive for retirement planning than the income tax rate alone suggests.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Iowa income tax rate for 2026? ▾
Has Iowa recently reduced its income tax? ▾
Do Iowa cities charge local income tax? ▾
How does Iowa compare to neighboring states? ▾
How these numbers are calculated
Every figure on this page is computed from published 2026 tax rules — not estimates or rounded ballparks. Federal income tax uses the seven 2026 brackets and the $16,100 single / $32,200 married standard deduction. FICA applies Social Security at 6.2% up to the $184,500 wage base and Medicare at 1.45% with no cap. Iowa state income tax is then applied on top of these federal figures. Self-employment figures apply the 15.3% SE tax with the standard 50% deductible-portion adjustment.
Primary sources
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 — 2026 federal brackets, standard deduction, and inflation adjustments
- Social Security Administration — 2026 Social Security wage base
- Tax Foundation & individual state revenue departments — 2026 state income tax rates and brackets
Not tax advice. Pay-Breakdown.com provides informational estimates based on standard tax rules and does not account for credits, itemized deductions, retirement contributions, or multiple income sources. For relocation, salary, or estimated-tax decisions, verify with a CPA or enrolled agent. See our data & methodology.