Iowa payroll · Updated November 6, 2026
Iowa paycheck calculator for 2026
See what comes out of an Iowa paycheck: federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Iowa’s flat 3.8% income tax, using the state’s 2026 withholding formula. Enter a salary, an hourly rate or one paycheck.
Calculate my take-home payCalculate your Iowa take-home pay
Take-home pay per paycheck
$1,870.92
$48,644 a year
| Paycheck | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,307.69 | $60,000 |
| Federal income tax | -$193.08 | -$5,020 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$143.08 | -$3,720 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$33.46 | -$870 |
| Iowa income tax (3.8%) | -$67.15 | -$1,746 |
| Take-home pay | $1,870.92 | $48,644 |
2026 estimate for one paycheck, using the IRS percentage method and Iowa’s withholding formula. Your employer's payroll may differ by a few cents to a few dollars. Not tax advice.
What comes out of a Iowa paycheck
| Deduction | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | 10% to 37% | Wages after the W-4 standard amount, by filing status |
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to $184,500 for 2026 |
| Medicare | 1.45%, plus 0.9% over $200,000 | All wages, no cap |
| Iowa income tax (3.8%) | 3.8% flat | Wages minus $13,000 ($19,500 head of household, $26,000 married with one earner), less IA W-4 allowances |
Example: $60,000 a year, paid every two weeks
| Line | Per paycheck | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay ($60,000 ÷ 26) | $2,307.69 | $60,000 |
| Federal income tax | −$193.08 | −$5,020 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$143.08 | −$3,720 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$33.46 | −$870 |
| Iowa income tax (3.8%) | −$67.15 | −$1,746 |
| Take-home pay | $1,870.92 | $48,644 |
How Iowa withholding works
Iowa has taxed individual income at a flat 3.8% since 2025. Its 2026 formula subtracts a yearly deduction based on your IA W-4 status, $13,000 for most single filers and married people whose spouse also earns, $19,500 for heads of household and $26,000 for married couples where the spouse does not earn, takes 3.8% and then subtracts your allowances. Iowa allowances are dollar amounts, not counts: $40 for yourself ($80 as head of household), $40 per dependent, and more for itemized deductions or child care, totaled on line 7.
Iowa’s school district surtax and a few counties’ EMS surtaxes are not withheld; they are paid with your Iowa return. Retirement income is fully excluded from Iowa tax for people 55 and older. Unemployment insurance is paid only by employers.
Minimum wage in Iowa
Iowa’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour ($6.35 for the first 90 days of employment).
Your federal withholding and Form W-4
Federal withholding is separate from the state’s and depends on your Form W-4: your filing status, the Step 2 box if you have two jobs or both spouses work, and the Step 3 amount for children and other dependents. Pre-tax 401(k), 403(b) and cafeteria-plan health premiums come out before income tax is figured. If you are paid on a 1099 instead of a W-2, nothing is withheld; use the self-employment tax calculator and plan for estimated payments.
Questions
How much is taken out of a $60,000 paycheck in Iowa?
For a single person paid every two weeks with no W-4 adjustments, a $40 IA W-4 allowance, about $193.08 federal income tax, $143.08 Social Security, $33.46 Medicare and $67.15 Iowa income tax come out of each $2,307.69 paycheck, leaving about $1,870.92.
What is the Iowa income tax rate for 2026?
A flat 3.8%, the same as 2025.
How do Iowa W-4 allowances work?
They are dollar amounts that reduce your yearly Iowa withholding directly: $40 for yourself, $40 per dependent, and more for large deductions or child care, added up on line 7 of the IA W-4.
Why is my paycheck different from this calculator?
Payroll systems round differently, and paychecks can include things this calculator leaves out: overtime, bonuses withheld at the flat supplemental rate, after-tax deductions, extra withholding on your W-4, or W-4 Step 4 adjustments.
Owe at tax time, or getting too much back?
We prepare federal returns for clients in every state and can tell you how to set your W-4 so next year comes out closer. We work remotely through a secure portal, by phone or video.
Tax preparation serviceWhere these rules come from
- Iowa Department of Revenue: 2026 Iowa Withholding Formula
- Iowa Department of Revenue: Tax and fee descriptions and rates
- Iowa Workforce Development: Unemployment FAQ
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026): Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
- IRS Topic 751: Social Security and Medicare withholding rates
Related
- Paycheck calculators for other states
- Iowa income tax
- What is FICA tax? Rates for 2026 and 2027
- Federal tax brackets for 2026 and 2027
- Self-employment tax calculator
- Illinois paycheck calculator
USTAXX prepares tax returns and offers tax planning. We are not a CPA firm and do not represent clients before the IRS. This page is general information, not tax advice for your situation.