Iowa paycheck calculator

What's different about an Iowa paycheck

At Iowa's median wage — $23.34 an hour, or about $48,540 a year (BLS, May 2025) — a single filer paid biweekly keeps about $1,538.05 per paycheck. Over the year that's $3,645 federal income tax, $3,713 Social Security and Medicare, and $1,193 Iowa income tax, before 401(k), insurance, or the items below. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 — Iowa, all occupations

Local income taxes

Iowa has no city or county wage tax. Instead, many school districts add an income surtax — in tax year 2025 between 0% and 20% of your Iowa income tax, not of your wages — and some counties add a 1% emergency-medical-services surtax. It is settled on your annual IA 1040 rather than built into paycheck withholding; you can request extra withholding on the IA W-4 to cover it. Source: Iowa Department of Revenue, IA 1040 expanded instructions, Line 19

Working across state lines

Iowa’s only reciprocity agreement is with Illinois, and it covers wages only. Illinois residents working in Iowa file Iowa form 44-016 with their employer so Illinois tax is withheld instead; Iowa residents working in Illinois file Illinois form IL-W-5-NR. Source: Iowa Department of Revenue, Iowa Withholding Tax Information

Bonuses and other supplemental pay

When federal tax on supplemental pay is withheld at a flat rate, Iowa withholds a flat 3.8%; bonuses paid together with regular wages are withheld on the combined amount using the regular tables. Source: Iowa Department of Revenue, Iowa Withholding Tax Information

State withholding form

Form IA W-4 (44-019) — Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate, filed with your employer alongside the federal W-4.

How this is calculated

Net pay in Iowa = gross salary minus federal withholdings minus Iowa income tax. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare use the 2026 IRS and SSA figures (Rev. Proc. 2025-32), computed exactly as on the main paycheck calculator. Iowa levies a flat 3.8% income tax (in effect since tax year 2025 under SF 2442), conforms to the federal standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married), and subtracts a small $40 (single) / $80 (married) personal-exemption credit. Other credits and pre-tax items are not modeled.

The 2026 federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare method, step by step

Sources

• IRS — Tax year 2026 inflation adjustments (Rev. Proc. 2025-32)(opens in a new tab)
• SSA — Social Security contribution and benefit base(opens in a new tab)
• Tax Foundation — 2026 State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets(opens in a new tab)
• Iowa Department of Revenue(opens in a new tab)

Frequently asked questions

What is the Iowa state income tax rate for 2026?

Iowa has had a flat income tax since tax year 2025: a single 3.8% rate on all taxable income, replacing the old graduated brackets that once topped 8.53%. The change was enacted by Senate File 2442 in 2024.

Does Iowa still tax retirement income?

No — since 2023 Iowa exempts most retirement income (pensions, IRAs, 401(k) distributions) for taxpayers 55 and older. This calculator models wage income, so it does not apply the retirement exclusion.

How much of a median Iowa paycheck goes to taxes?

Iowa's median wage is about $48,540 a year ($23.34 an hour, BLS May 2025). For a single filer paid biweekly in 2026 that is about $3,645 federal income tax, $3,713 Social Security and Medicare, and $1,193 Iowa income tax a year, leaving about $1,538.05 per paycheck — before 401(k), insurance, local income taxes, or any state payroll programs.

Does Iowa have a tax reciprocity agreement with other states?

Iowa’s only reciprocity agreement is with Illinois, and it covers wages only. Illinois residents working in Iowa file Iowa form 44-016 with their employer so Illinois tax is withheld instead; Iowa residents working in Illinois file Illinois form IL-W-5-NR.

Do Iowa cities or counties tax wages?

Iowa has no city or county wage tax. Instead, many school districts add an income surtax — in tax year 2025 between 0% and 20% of your Iowa income tax, not of your wages — and some counties add a 1% emergency-medical-services surtax. It is settled on your annual IA 1040 rather than built into paycheck withholding; you can request extra withholding on the IA W-4 to cover it.

How are bonuses withheld in Iowa?

When federal tax on supplemental pay is withheld at a flat rate, Iowa withholds a flat 3.8%; bonuses paid together with regular wages are withheld on the combined amount using the regular tables.