Iowa Paycheck Calculator (2026)
Last updated: 2026-10-07 · Iowa figures checked against official sources on 2026-10-07
Iowa withholds a flat 3.8% state income tax in 2026 using its own formula and your IA W-4, plus local income taxes in some cities or counties. On a $50,000 salary paid every two weeks, a single employee keeps about $1,576.51 per check: $146.92 federal, $147.11 Social Security and Medicare, $52.54 Iowa income tax come out of $1,923.08.
Year-to-date, employer size and gross-up
For the $184,500 wage base and the $200,000 Additional Medicare threshold.
Sets state paid-leave shares (e.g. DE, CO, ME).
Enter a take-home amount to solve for gross pay.
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Paycheck breakdown · 2026 · Iowa
| Item | This check | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $1,923.08 | $50,000 |
| Gross pay | $1,923.08 | $50,000 |
| − Federal income tax | −$146.92 | −$3,820 |
| − Social Security (6.2%) | −$119.23 | −$3,100 |
| − Medicare (1.45%) | −$27.88 | −$725 |
| − Iowa income taxState formula | −$52.54 | −$1,366 |
| Net pay | $1,576.51 | $40,989 |
How federal withholding was figured (Pub. 15-T Worksheet 1A)
| 1a | Taxable wages this pay period | $1,923.08 |
| 1b | Pay periods per year | 26 |
| 1c | Annualized wages | $50,000.08 |
| 1d | Step 4(a) other income | $0.00 |
| 1f | Step 4(b) deductions | $0.00 |
| 1g | Standard adjustment ($12,900 MFJ / $8,600 other) | $8,600.00 |
| 2a | Adjusted Annual Wage Amount | $41,400.08 |
| 2b–2d | Row: at least $19,900 → $1,240.00 + 12% of the excess (standard single schedule) | |
| 2g | Annual tentative withholding | $3,820.01 |
| 2h | ÷ pay periods | $146.92 |
| 3b | Step 3 credits per period | −$0.00 |
| 4a | Extra withholding (Step 4(c)) | $0.00 |
| 4b | Federal income tax to withhold | $146.92 |
How Iowa withholding was figured
Iowa 2026 withholding formula, annualized
| Annualized state wages ($1,923.08 × 26) | $50,000.08 |
| Deduction (IA W-4 column A) | −$13,000.00 |
| × 3.8% − allowance amount $40.00 | $1,366.00 |
| Annual withholding ÷ 26 pay periods | $52.54 |
What the employer pays on top
| Social Security match (6.2%) | $119.23 |
| Medicare match (1.45%) | $27.88 |
| FUTA (0.6% of the first $7,000) | $11.54 |
| Federal employer taxes this check | $158.65 |
Plus state unemployment, paid-leave employer shares and workers' comp — payroll cost calculator has every state's 2026 rates.
Iowa take-home pay examples (2026)
Paid biweekly, 2026 W-4 with only the filing status, no pre-tax deductions or local tax; Iowa certificate — single: IA W-4 marital status: Other, or MFJ with working spouse; IA W-4 total allowance amount ($): 40; married: IA W-4 marital status: MFJ, spouse has no earned income; IA W-4 total allowance amount ($): 80. Computed with the same engine as the calculator.
| Salary · filing status | Gross / check | Federal | Soc. Sec. + Medicare | Iowa tax | Net / check | Net / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 · single | $1,923.08 | $146.92 | $147.11 | $52.54 | $1,576.51 | $40,989 |
| $50,000 · married, one income | $1,923.08 | $68.46 | $147.11 | $32.00 | $1,675.51 | $43,563 |
| $100,000 · single | $3,846.15 | $506.54 | $294.23 | $125.62 | $2,919.76 | $75,914 |
| $100,000 · married, one income | $3,846.15 | $293.85 | $294.23 | $105.08 | $3,152.99 | $81,978 |
Iowa income tax rates for 2026
2026: Rate unchanged at 3.8% (flat since 2025). Through rolling conformity Iowa follows the OBBBA federal changes, so the larger 2026 federal standard deduction ($16,100/$32,200/$24,150) and new federal deductions flow into Iowa taxable income; IDR reissued the 2026 withholding formula and IA W-4 (Nov 3, 2025) to reflect the lower liability. Estimated-tax threshold rises from $200 to $1,000 for 2026.
All filing statuses
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Over $0 | 3.8% |
- Standard deduction
- $16,100 single · $32,200 married jointly · $24,150 head of household
- Personal exemption
- $40 / $40 per dependent credit
Credits, phase-outs and other Iowa rules
- Flat 3.8% on Iowa taxable income for 2025 and later (Senate File 2442, 2024).
- Starting point is FEDERAL TAXABLE INCOME (federal 1040 line 15) with rolling IRC conformity, so the federal standard deduction applies (federal conformity): 2026 amounts $16,100 single/MFS, $32,200 MFJ/surviving spouse, $24,150 HOH (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32). Federal below-the-line deductions included in federal taxable income (e.g. the OBBBA enhanced senior deduction, which IDR notes is 'already included in your federal taxable income') carry into Iowa.
- Exemption credits (subtracted from tax): $40 personal credit (x2 for MFJ and head of household), +$20 each for taxpayer/spouse 65+ or blind, $40 per dependent (IA 1040 Step 3; 2025 expanded instructions).
- Low-income exemption / filing threshold (2025 instructions): no Iowa filing requirement if Iowa taxable income plus deductions etc. is $9,000 or less (single/MFS; $24,000 if 65+) or $13,500 or less (MFJ/HOH/QSS; $32,000 if either spouse 65+).
- School district surtax (and county EMS surtax in a few counties) is added on top: a percentage of Iowa tax after credits (IA 1040 line 18 x district rate) for the district of residence on Dec 31 - see locals/notes.
All 51 jurisdictions side by side: 2026 state income tax rates.
How Iowa withholding works
Employee form: IA W-4 (44-019) - 2024 and later versions use a dollar 'amount of allowances' ($40 per allowance); pre-2024 IA W-4 allowances x $40
Employer guide: Iowa Individual Income Tax Withholding Formula, Effective January 1, 2026 (released November 2025)
T1 = gross taxable wages for the period - deduction D (annual $13,000 'Other' or MFJ with working spouse; $19,500 head of household; $26,000 MFJ with non-earning spouse or qualifying surviving spouse; per-period amounts in table); T2 = T1 x 3.8%; T3 = T2 - (total IA W-4 allowance dollars / pay periods); T4 = T3 + additional withholding. No IA W-4 => allowance amount of zero. Supplemental wages taxed at flat federal rate => Iowa 3.8%.
Other deductions from a Iowa paycheck
Iowa has no employee-paid state disability, paid-leave or unemployment premium in 2026, so after income taxes the only required deductions are Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500) and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% above $200,000).
Local income taxes in Iowa
- Iowa school district surtax / county EMS surtax. Most Iowa school districts levy an income surtax computed as a percentage of the resident's Iowa income tax after nonrefundable credits (IA 1040 line 19 = line 18 x surtax rate), based on the district of residence on Dec 31. Appanoose, Cass, Pocahontas, Sac, Shelby and Winnebago counties add an EMS surtax (included in the same table). Rates by district are in IDR's School District Surtax/EMS table (41-027); not withheld by employers (paid with the return). Rates not reproduced here. Source
Iowa paycheck FAQ
How much is $50,000 a year after taxes in Iowa?
About $40,989 a year — $1,576.51 per biweekly paycheck — for a single filer with a basic 2026 W-4 and no pre-tax deductions: $146.92 federal income tax, $147.11 Social Security and Medicare, $52.54 Iowa income tax per check. A married couple filing jointly on one $50,000 income keeps about $43,563 ($1,675.51 per check).
How much is $100,000 a year after taxes in Iowa?
About $75,914 for a single filer ($2,919.76 per biweekly check) and $81,978 for a married couple with one income ($3,152.99 per check); Iowa income tax takes $3,266 and $2,732 of that respectively. Add 401(k), health or HSA deductions in the calculator to see your exact number.
What is the Iowa income tax rate for 2026?
A single rate of 3.8%, after a standard deduction of $16,100 single / $32,200 joint and a personal exemption ($40 / $40 per dependent credit). Rate unchanged at 3.8% (flat since 2025).
Which form controls Iowa withholding?
Your IA W-4 (44-019) - 2024 and later versions use a dollar 'amount of allowances' ($40 per allowance); pre-2024 IA W-4 allowances x $40. Employers apply Iowa Individual Income Tax Withholding Formula, Effective January 1, 2026 (released November 2025). Changing your federal W-4 does not change your Iowa withholding.
Are there local income taxes in Iowa?
Yes: Iowa school district surtax / county EMS surtax. Pick yours under “Local income tax” in the calculator.
What else comes out of a Iowa paycheck besides income tax?
Only Social Security (6.2% of wages up to $184,500) and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% over $200,000) — Iowa has no employee-paid state disability, paid-leave or unemployment premium in 2026 — and any benefits you elect.
How are bonuses withheld in Iowa?
Federal: a flat 22% or the aggregate method (37% above $1 million). Iowa: Supplemental wages taxed at flat federal rate => Iowa 3.
Does Iowa tax 401(k) contributions or health premiums?
Iowa follows the federal treatment for wage withholding: traditional 401(k)/403(b)/457(b) deferrals and cafeteria-plan items (health premiums, HSA, FSA) reduce the wages Iowa taxes.
More for Iowa employers and employees
Official Sources
Figures checked against these sources on 2026-10-07- IDR Iowa Withholding Formula, effective Jan 1, 2026
- IDR Iowa Withholding Tax Information (tables, supplemental 3.8%)
- IDR press release: New Income Withholding Tax Tables for 2026 (Nov 3, 2025)
- IDR press release: 2025 tables - SF 2442 3.80% flat rate from Jan 1, 2025
- IDR 1040 expanded instructions - Conformity with the IRC (federal taxable income starting point)
- IDR 1040 expanded instructions - Exemption Credits
- IDR 1040 expanded instructions - Who Must File
- IRS: tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2026 (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) - standard deduction
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods — federal withholding
- IRS Publication 15 (2026), Employer's Tax Guide — FICA
Paycheck calculators for other states
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Estimates only, not tax or payroll advice. Check results against your pay stub.