West Virginia income tax in 2026
West Virginia has a progressive income tax: higher slices of income are taxed at higher rates. Single filers subtract $2,000 in deductions and exemptions first ($4,000 for married couples).
| Rate | Taxable income (single) | Your tax |
|---|---|---|
| 2.11% | $0 – $10,000 | $211 |
| 2.81% | $10,000 – $25,000 | $422 |
| 3.16% | $25,000 – $40,000 | $474 |
| 4.22% | $40,000 – $60,000 | $760 |
| 4.58% | $60,000 and up | — |
What to know about taxes in West Virginia
West Virginia has cut its income tax rates in several steps since 2023, with a top rate below 5%. Its brackets are narrow, so the top rate starts at $60,000.
- Social Security benefits are being fully exempted.
- Housing costs are among the lowest in the country.
Largest cities: Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown.
Take-home pay in West Virginia by salary
What common salaries look like after taxes in West Virginia for a single filer.
| Salary | Take-home / year | Per month | Bi-weekly | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $25,558 | $2,130 | $983 | 14.8% |
| $40,000 | $33,277 | $2,773 | $1,280 | 16.8% |
| $50,000 | $40,911 | $3,409 | $1,574 | 18.2% |
| $60,000 | $48,524 | $4,044 | $1,866 | 19.1% |
| $70,000 | $55,758 | $4,647 | $2,145 | 20.4% |
| $80,000 | $62,335 | $5,195 | $2,398 | 22.1% |
| $90,000 | $68,912 | $5,743 | $2,650 | 23.4% |
| $100,000 | $75,489 | $6,291 | $2,903 | 24.5% |
| $120,000 | $88,643 | $7,387 | $3,409 | 26.1% |
| $150,000 | $107,810 | $8,984 | $4,147 | 28.1% |
| $200,000 | $140,656 | $11,721 | $5,410 | 29.7% |
Where your taxes go
- Take-home pay$48,52480.9%
- Federal income tax$5,0208.4%
- Social Security$3,7206.2%
- Medicare$8701.5%
- West Virginia income tax$1,8663.1%
- 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). 6.2% of wages up to $184,500. It funds retirement and disability benefits.
- Medicare ($870). Charged at 1.45% on every dollar you earn, with no wage cap.
- West Virginia income tax ($1,866). Charged on $58,000 after state deductions, marginal rate 4.22%.
How West Virginia compares with other states
West Virginia ranks #22 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
Because traditional 401(k) money is taken before income tax, part of every dollar you save is effectively paid by the tax you no longer owe.
| Contribution | Saved per year | Take-home pay | Per month | Income tax saved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | $0 | $48,524 | $4,044 | — |
| 3% | $1,800 | $47,016 | $3,918 | $292 |
| 6% | $3,600 | $45,508 | $3,792 | $584 |
| 10% | $6,000 | $43,497 | $3,625 | $973 |
| 15% | $9,000 | $40,984 | $3,415 | $1,460 |
Single vs married filing jointly
Here is the same salary for a single-income married couple filing jointly, compared with a single filer.
| Single | Married, one income | |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | $5,020 | $2,840 |
| State income tax | $1,866 | $1,782 |
| Social Security + Medicare | $4,590 | $4,590 |
| Take-home pay | $48,524 | $50,788 |
Filing jointly would add $2,264 a year ($189 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 $4,044 into three buckets.
- $60,000 is 104% of the median household income in West Virginia ($57,917).
- With the 30% rule, a comfortable rent is up to $1,500 per month.
- That is 3.3 times the West Virginia minimum wage of $8.75/hour.
Frequently asked questions
Does West Virginia have a state income tax?
Yes. West Virginia income tax rates range from 2.11% – 4.58% in 2026, depending on taxable income.
What is the income tax rate in West Virginia?
West Virginia income tax rates range from 2.11% – 4.58% in 2026, depending on taxable income.
How much is $60,000 after tax in West Virginia?
A single filer earning $60,000 takes home about $48,524 a year, or $4,044 per month.
What is the minimum wage in West Virginia?
The minimum wage in West Virginia is about $8.75 per hour.
How is my West Virginia paycheck calculated?
We subtract federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%) and West Virginia 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.