Iowa income tax in 2026
Iowa charges a flat 3.8% on taxable income. Single filers subtract $16,100 in deductions and exemptions first ($32,200 for married couples filing jointly).
What to know about taxes in Iowa
Iowa completed a major tax reform in 2025 with a single flat rate of 3.8%, down from a top rate above 8% a few years earlier. Retirement income is fully exempt for residents aged 55 and over.
- Some school districts add a surtax calculated on state tax.
- Living costs are well below the national average.
Largest cities: Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City.
Take-home pay in Iowa by salary
What common salaries look like after taxes in Iowa for a single filer.
| Salary | Take-home / year | Per month | Bi-weekly | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $25,797 | $2,150 | $992 | 14.0% |
| $40,000 | $33,452 | $2,788 | $1,287 | 16.4% |
| $50,000 | $41,107 | $3,426 | $1,581 | 17.8% |
| $60,000 | $48,762 | $4,063 | $1,875 | 18.7% |
| $70,000 | $56,067 | $4,672 | $2,156 | 19.9% |
| $80,000 | $62,722 | $5,227 | $2,412 | 21.6% |
| $90,000 | $69,377 | $5,781 | $2,668 | 22.9% |
| $100,000 | $76,032 | $6,336 | $2,924 | 24.0% |
| $120,000 | $89,342 | $7,445 | $3,436 | 25.6% |
| $150,000 | $108,743 | $9,062 | $4,182 | 27.5% |
| $200,000 | $141,979 | $11,832 | $5,461 | 29.0% |
Where your taxes go
- Take-home pay$48,76281.3%
- Federal income tax$5,0208.4%
- Social Security$3,7206.2%
- Medicare$8701.5%
- Iowa income tax$1,6282.7%
- Federal income tax ($5,020). Charged on $43,900 of taxable income after the standard deduction, with a top rate of 12% on your last dollar.
- Social Security ($3,720). Withheld at 6.2% on the first $184,500 of wages each year; your employer pays the same amount.
- Medicare ($870). 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% on wages above $200,000 for single filers.
- Iowa income tax ($1,628). Charged on $43,900 after state deductions, marginal rate 3.8%.
How Iowa compares with other states
Iowa ranks #15 of 51 for take-home pay on $60,000. The gap between the best state (Florida) and the worst (Oregon) is $4,401 a year.
Top 5, your state and bottom 5. Single filer, no pre-tax contributions.
How a 401(k) changes your paycheck
See how much of your paycheck a 401(k) really costs. Pre-tax contributions reduce federal and state income tax, but not Social Security or Medicare.
| Contribution | Saved per year | Take-home pay | Per month | Income tax saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | $0 | $48,762 | $4,063 | — |
| 3% | $1,800 | $47,246 | $3,937 | $284 |
| 6% | $3,600 | $45,731 | $3,811 | $569 |
| 10% | $6,000 | $43,710 | $3,642 | $948 |
| 15% | $9,000 | $41,184 | $3,432 | $1,422 |
Single vs married filing jointly
If you are married and your spouse has no income, filing jointly doubles the standard deduction and widens every bracket.
| Single | Married, one income | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $5,020 | $2,840 |
| State income tax | $1,628 | $976 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $4,590 | $4,590 |
| Take-home pay | $48,762 | $51,594 |
Filing jointly would add $2,832 a year ($236 a month) to this household's take-home pay.
What this salary buys you
The 50/30/20 rule splits your monthly take-home pay of $4,063 into three buckets.
- $60,000 is 82% of the median household income in Iowa ($73,147).
- With the 30% rule, a comfortable rent is up to $1,500 per month.
- That is 4.0 times the Iowa minimum wage of $7.25/hour.
Frequently asked questions
Does Iowa have a state income tax?
Yes. Iowa uses a flat rate of 3.8% in 2026.
What is the income tax rate in Iowa?
Iowa uses a flat rate of 3.8% in 2026.
How much is $60,000 after tax in Iowa?
A single filer earning $60,000 takes home about $48,762 a year, or $4,063 per month.
What is the minimum wage in Iowa?
The minimum wage in Iowa is about $7.25 per hour.
How is my Iowa paycheck calculated?
We subtract federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%) and Iowa income tax from your gross pay.
Figures use 2026 IRS federal brackets, the standard deduction, Social Security and Medicare rates, and each state's income tax rules for a W-2 employee. Read our methodology. Last updated September 25, 2026. Estimates for information only, not tax advice.