Iowa paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | A flat 3.8% of taxable income |
|---|---|
| Deductions & credits | The federal standard deduction of $16,100 (single) or $32,200 (married filing jointly); A personal credit of $40 (single) or $80 (joint) subtracted from the tax |
| State payroll taxes | None paid by employees |
| Local income taxes | Iowa has no city or county wage taxes, but most school districts add an income surtax of up to 20% of your Iowa income tax, based on where you lived on December 31. |
| 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 | 6.94% average combined rate — Iowa sales tax calculator |
How Iowa taxes your paycheck
A flat 3.8% of taxable income. The calculation starts from federal taxable income with Iowa adjustments, and filers get the federal standard deduction of $16,100 (single) or $32,200 (married filing jointly) and a personal credit of $40 (single) or $80 (joint) subtracted from the tax. 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 Iowa return.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in Iowa
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 |
| Iowa income tax | −$69.93 | −$1,818.20 |
| Take-home pay | $2,022.67 | $52,589.30 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
Iowa: $65,000 − $16,100 federal standard deduction = $48,900 taxable; the brackets give $1,858.20 − $40.00 personal exemption credit = $1,818.20 (2.8% of pay).
All taxes together take 19.1% of gross pay, leaving $52,589.30.
Take-home pay at other salaries in Iowa
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | IA income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,452 | $1,286.61 | $868 | 16.4% | $35,944 |
| $50,000 | $41,107 | $1,581.03 | $1,248 | 17.8% | $43,799 |
| $65,000 | $52,589 | $2,022.67 | $1,818 | 19.1% | $55,421 |
| $80,000 | $62,722 | $2,412.38 | $2,388 | 21.6% | $66,904 |
| $100,000 | $76,032 | $2,924.30 | $3,148 | 24% | $82,214 |
| $150,000 | $108,743 | $4,182.42 | $5,048 | 27.5% | $118,789 |
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.
Iowa compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), Iowa ranks 14 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. South Dakota would leave you more each year; Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri and Nebraska 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. Iowa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | $1,818 | $0 | $52,589 | — |
| Minnesota | $2,897 | $286 | $51,225 | −$1,364 |
| Wisconsin | $2,350 | $0 | $52,058 | −$532 |
| Illinois | $3,073 | $0 | $51,335 | −$1,255 |
| Missouri | $2,078 | $0 | $52,329 | −$260 |
| Nebraska | $2,078 | $0 | $52,330 | −$260 |
| South Dakota | $0 | $0 | $54,408 | +$1,818 |
Good to know about Iowa paychecks
- Iowa has taxed income at a single 3.8% rate since 2025.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in Iowa?
About $52,589 a year, or $2,022.67 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 and $1,818 of Iowa income tax. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $55,421.
Does Iowa have a state income tax?
Yes. A flat 3.8% of taxable income. On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $1,818 a year, 2.8% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in Iowa?
Nothing else statewide: Iowa has no employee-paid disability, paid-leave or unemployment payroll tax, so the other deductions are federal taxes and whatever you elect, such as retirement savings or health premiums.
Do cities or counties in Iowa tax wages?
Iowa has no city or county wage taxes, but most school districts add an income surtax of up to 20% of your Iowa income tax, based on where you lived on December 31.
Is take-home pay higher in Iowa or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, Iowa ranks 14 of 51 for take-home pay at $52,589. South Dakota ($54,408) leaves more, while Minnesota ($51,225), Illinois ($51,335) and Wisconsin ($52,058) leave less.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any Iowa withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. Iowa income tax figures: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (as of Jan. 1, 2026). Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.