West Virginia paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | Five brackets from 2.11% to 4.58% after a 2026 rate cut, with the same thresholds for single and joint filers |
|---|---|
| Deductions & credits | A personal exemption of $2,000 (single) or $4,000 (joint) |
| State payroll taxes | None paid by employees |
| Local income taxes | Several West Virginia cities charge a weekly city service fee to people who work there — $3 in Charleston and Morgantown, $5 in Huntington and $2 in Wheeling. |
| 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 | 6.60% average combined rate — West Virginia sales tax calculator |
How West Virginia taxes your paycheck
Five brackets from 2.11% to 4.58% after a 2026 rate cut, with the same thresholds for single and joint filers. The calculation starts from federal adjusted gross income with West Virginia modifications, and filers get a personal exemption of $2,000 (single) or $4,000 (joint). 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 West Virginia return.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in West Virginia
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 |
| West Virginia income tax | −$80.30 | −$2,087.90 |
| Take-home pay | $2,012.29 | $52,319.60 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
West Virginia: $65,000 − $2,000 personal exemption = $63,000 taxable; the brackets give $2,087.90 (3.21% of pay).
All taxes together take 19.5% of gross pay, leaving $52,319.60.
Take-home pay at other salaries in West Virginia
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | WV income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,277 | $1,279.87 | $1,043 | 16.8% | $35,180 |
| $50,000 | $40,911 | $1,573.50 | $1,444 | 18.2% | $43,035 |
| $65,000 | $52,320 | $2,012.29 | $2,088 | 19.5% | $54,591 |
| $80,000 | $62,335 | $2,397.50 | $2,775 | 22.1% | $65,957 |
| $100,000 | $75,489 | $2,903.43 | $3,691 | 24.5% | $81,111 |
| $150,000 | $107,810 | $4,146.54 | $5,981 | 28.1% | $117,296 |
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.
West Virginia compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), West Virginia ranks 25 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. Ohio and Pennsylvania would leave you more each year; Maryland, Virginia and Kentucky 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. West Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | $2,088 | $0 | $52,320 | — |
| Ohio | $1,354 | $0 | $53,054 | +$734 |
| Pennsylvania | $1,996 | $46 | $52,367 | +$47 |
| Maryland | $4,594 | $0 | $49,813 | −$2,506 |
| Virginia | $2,923 | $0 | $51,484 | −$836 |
| Kentucky | $2,157 | $0 | $52,250 | −$70 |
Good to know about West Virginia paychecks
- West Virginia cut every rate again for 2026 (SB 392), lowering the top rate from 4.82% to 4.58%.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in West Virginia?
About $52,320 a year, or $2,012.29 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 $2,088 of West Virginia income tax. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $54,591.
Does West Virginia have a state income tax?
Yes. Five brackets from 2.11% to 4.58% after a 2026 rate cut, with the same thresholds for single and joint filers. On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $2,088 a year, 3.21% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in West Virginia?
Nothing else statewide: West Virginia 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 West Virginia tax wages?
Several West Virginia cities charge a weekly city service fee to people who work there — $3 in Charleston and Morgantown, $5 in Huntington and $2 in Wheeling.
Is take-home pay higher in West Virginia or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, West Virginia ranks 25 of 51 for take-home pay at $52,320. Ohio ($53,054) and Pennsylvania ($52,367) leave more, while Maryland ($49,813), Virginia ($51,484) and Kentucky ($52,250) leave less.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any West Virginia withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. West Virginia income tax figures: West Virginia SB 392 (2026), retroactive to January 1, 2026. Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.