Connecticut paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | Seven brackets from 2% to 6.99%; the benefit of the lower brackets is phased out at higher incomes |
|---|---|
| Deductions & credits | A personal exemption of up to $15,000 (single) or $24,000 (joint) that phases out above $30,000 and $48,000 of income |
| State payroll taxes | Paid Leave (0.5% of wages up to $184,500) |
| Local income taxes | None |
| Federal (every state) | 2026 brackets from 10% to 37%; Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 |
| Sales tax | 6.35% average combined rate — Connecticut sales tax calculator |
How Connecticut taxes your paycheck
Seven brackets from 2% to 6.99%; the benefit of the lower brackets is phased out at higher incomes. The calculation starts from federal adjusted gross income with Connecticut modifications, and filers get a personal exemption of up to $15,000 (single) or $24,000 (joint) that phases out above $30,000 and $48,000 of income. Employers withhold it each payday using the state's withholding formula, so a pay stub can differ a little from the annual tax estimated here; any difference settles when you file your Connecticut return.
State payroll contributions
- Paid Leave: 0.5% of wages up to $184,500. Source: Connecticut Paid Leave Authority, 2026 contribution rate.
The calculator applies these to gross pay minus Section 125 (pre-tax health) deductions. They fund benefits you can claim yourself, such as partial wage replacement during a disability or a family or medical leave.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in Connecticut
A single filer paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), with no 401(k) or health deductions — the calculator's starting values:
| Line | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$155.00 | −$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$36.25 | −$942.50 |
| Connecticut income tax | −$110.58 | −$2,875.00 |
| CT Paid Leave | −$12.50 | −$325.00 |
| Take-home pay | $1,969.52 | $51,207.50 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
Connecticut: $65,000 = $65,000 taxable; the brackets give $2,825.00 + $50.00 2% bracket phase-out = $2,875.00 (4.42% of pay).
Paid Leave $325.00.
All taxes together take 21.2% of gross pay, leaving $51,207.50.
Take-home pay at other salaries in Connecticut
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | CT income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $32,795 | $1,261.35 | $1,325 | 18% | $35,640 |
| $50,000 | $40,105 | $1,542.50 | $2,000 | 19.8% | $43,385 |
| $65,000 | $51,208 | $1,969.52 | $2,875 | 21.2% | $54,153 |
| $80,000 | $60,935 | $2,343.65 | $3,775 | 23.8% | $65,140 |
| $100,000 | $73,705 | $2,834.81 | $4,975 | 26.3% | $80,210 |
| $150,000 | $104,816 | $4,031.38 | $8,225 | 30.1% | $115,185 |
Standard deduction only, with no pre-tax deductions or dependents and no local tax. The total tax rate (single) includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and state payroll contributions.
Connecticut compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), Connecticut ranks 45 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. Rhode Island would leave you more each year; Massachusetts and New York would leave less.
Local income taxes are left out, except Maryland's county tax, which every resident pays (3.20% used here).
| State | State & county income tax | State payroll taxes | Take-home per year | vs. Connecticut |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $2,875 | $325 | $51,208 | — |
| New York | $2,913 | $312 | $51,183 | −$25 |
| Massachusetts | $3,030 | $299 | $51,079 | −$129 |
| Rhode Island | $1,821 | $715 | $51,872 | +$664 |
Good to know about Connecticut paychecks
- Connecticut phases out the benefit of its lower brackets as income rises, so many high earners pay close to their top rate on all income.
- CT Paid Leave is funded entirely by employees at 0.5% of wages up to the Social Security wage base.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in Connecticut?
About $51,208 a year, or $1,969.52 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after $5,620 of federal income tax, $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare, $2,875 of Connecticut income tax and $325 of Paid Leave. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $54,153.
Does Connecticut have a state income tax?
Yes. Seven brackets from 2% to 6.99%; the benefit of the lower brackets is phased out at higher incomes. On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $2,875 a year, 4.42% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in Connecticut?
Besides federal taxes and state income tax, Connecticut employees pay Paid Leave (0.5% of wages up to $184,500). On a $65,000 salary that comes to about $325 a year.
Do cities or counties in Connecticut tax wages?
No. Local governments in Connecticut do not tax employees' wages, so the state-level estimate is complete apart from your own deductions.
Is take-home pay higher in Connecticut or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, Connecticut ranks 45 of 51 for take-home pay at $51,208. Rhode Island ($51,872) leaves more, while Massachusetts ($51,079) and New York ($51,183) leave less.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any Connecticut withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. Connecticut income tax figures: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (as of Jan. 1, 2026); Connecticut DRS Form CT-1040 instructions. Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.