How Iowa taxes your paycheck
Iowa taxes all taxable income at a flat 3.8% in 2026, the same rate as 2025 under SF 2442 (2024). Since 2023 Iowa's starting point is federal taxable income with rolling IRC conformity, so the 2026 federal standard deduction ($16,100 / $32,200 / $24,150) under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act flows through, along with the federal tips, overtime, car-loan interest and senior deductions. Iowa keeps a $40 personal exemption credit ($80 for joint and head-of-household filers), plus $40 per dependent and $20 for age 65+ or blindness. The 2026 legislative session did not change the income tax rate.
2026 Iowa income tax rate
| Taxable income (single) | Rate |
|---|---|
| Over $0 | 3.8% |
| Deduction or credit | Single | Married | Head of household |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard deduction | $16,100 | $32,200 | $24,150 |
| Personal exemption | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Personal credit | $40 | $80 | $80 |
Local income taxes
Most Iowa school districts levy an income surtax computed as a percentage of the resident's Iowa income tax (0% to 20% by district in the 2025 IDR table), and Appanoose, Cass, Pocahontas, Sac, Shelby and Winnebago counties add a 1% surtax for emergency medical services. The surtax is paid with the return and is not part of employer withholding.
Take-home pay in Iowa at common salaries
Single filer, 2026 rules, no pre-tax deductions or local taxes.
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | Iowa taxes | Take-home | Biweekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,420 | $2,295 | $488 | $25,797 | $992 |
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $868 | $33,452 | $1,287 |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $1,248 | $41,107 | $1,581 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $1,628 | $48,762 | $1,875 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $2,198 | $59,394 | $2,284 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $3,148 | $76,032 | $2,924 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $5,048 | $108,743 | $4,182 |
How Iowa compares
At a $60,000 salary, Iowa ranks #14 of 51 for take-home pay. The table below shows the states closest in take-home pay.
Minimum wage in Iowa
The Iowa minimum wage is $7.25 an hour as of January 1, 2008. A full-time minimum wage job pays $15,080 a year before taxes and about $13,926 after taxes. See the full Iowa minimum wage guide for tipped wages and scheduled increases.
What this calculator does not include
Ignores school district and EMS surtaxes, the low-income exemption and alternate tax for low incomes, dependent and age/blind credits, and Iowa-specific adjustments to federal taxable income. Note that Iowa's 2026 withholding formula uses its own deduction ($13,000 / $26,000 / $19,500), so paycheck withholding will run above the annual liability computed here. The calculator also leaves out dependents, tax credits, additional withholding on your W-4 and non-wage income. Your employer's withholding can differ from your final tax bill.
Frequently asked questions
Does Iowa have a state income tax?
Yes. Iowa taxes wages at a flat 3.8% for 2026. Your employer withholds it from each paycheck along with federal taxes.
How much is $60,000 after taxes in Iowa?
A single filer earning $60,000 in Iowa keeps about $48,762 a year, or $4,063 a month, in 2026. That ranks 14 of 51 for take-home pay at that salary.
Does Iowa have local income taxes?
Most Iowa school districts levy an income surtax computed as a percentage of the resident's Iowa income tax (0% to 20% by district in the 2025 IDR table), and Appanoose, Cass, Pocahontas, Sac, Shelby and Winnebago counties add a 1% surtax for emergency medical services. The surtax is paid with the return and is not part of employer withholding.
What is the minimum wage in Iowa?
The minimum wage in Iowa is $7.25 an hour as of January 1, 2008. Full time, that is $15,080 a year before taxes and about $13,926 after taxes for a single filer.
Sources
- Iowa Department of Revenue - IDR Announces 2026 Individual Income Tax and Interest Rates (Oct 21, 2025)
- Iowa Code 422.12 - Deductions from computed tax (personal exemption credits)
- Iowa Legislative Services Agency - Fiscal Topics: Federal Tax Changes, State Rolling Conformity (Sept 16, 2025)
- Iowa Department of Revenue - Iowa Withholding Formula effective January 1, 2026
- Iowa Department of Revenue - Iowa Counties, School District Numbers, Surtax Rates for 2025
- IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026 federal tax tables)