Louisiana payroll · Updated November 6, 2026
Louisiana paycheck calculator for 2026
See what comes out of a Louisiana paycheck: federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Louisiana income tax, withheld at 3.09% after a $12,875 standard deduction ($25,750 for married couples and heads of household). Enter a salary, an hourly rate or one paycheck.
Calculate my take-home payCalculate your Louisiana take-home pay
Take-home pay per paycheck
$1,882.06
$48,934 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 |
| Louisiana income tax | -$56.01 | -$1,456 |
| Take-home pay | $1,882.06 | $48,934 |
2026 estimate for one paycheck, using the IRS percentage method and Louisiana’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 Louisiana 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 |
| Louisiana income tax | 3.09% withholding (3% tax rate) | Wages minus $12,875, or $25,750 for married filing jointly and heads of household |
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 |
| Louisiana income tax | −$56.01 | −$1,456 |
| Take-home pay | $1,882.06 | $48,934 |
How Louisiana withholding works
Louisiana replaced its graduated rates with a flat 3% income tax from 2025 and raised the standard deduction from $4,500 to $12,500, doubled for married couples filing jointly, qualifying surviving spouses and heads of household. The deduction is indexed for inflation, which makes it $12,875 for 2026.
Withholding uses 3.09%, slightly above the 3% rate, which the Department of Revenue says is a cushion. On Form L-4, claim 1 for single or married filing separately and 2 for married filing jointly, a qualifying surviving spouse or head of household; claiming 0, or not filing an L-4, means no standard deduction is used. Unemployment insurance is paid by employers and cannot be deducted from wages.
Minimum wage in Louisiana
Louisiana has no state minimum wage law, so the federal $7.25 an hour applies.
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 Louisiana?
For a single person paid every two weeks with no W-4 adjustments, L-4 claiming 1, about $193.08 federal income tax, $143.08 Social Security, $33.46 Medicare and $56.01 Louisiana income tax come out of each $2,307.69 paycheck, leaving about $1,882.06.
What is the Louisiana income tax rate for 2026?
A flat 3% on taxable income. Employers withhold at 3.09% after a $12,875 standard deduction, or $25,750 for married filing jointly and heads of household.
What should I claim on Form L-4?
Claim 1 if you are single or married filing separately, and 2 if you are married filing jointly, a qualifying surviving spouse or head of household. Claiming 0 means no standard deduction in withholding.
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
- Louisiana Department of Revenue: R-1306 Withholding Tables and Formulas, 2026 (PDF)
- Louisiana Department of Revenue: Form L-4 (2026) (PDF)
- Louisiana Department of Revenue
- 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
- Louisiana 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.