Iowa Paycheck Calculator
↻ Updated 2026 tax yearSee your real take-home pay in Iowa for 2026 — after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (FICA) and Iowa state income tax.
How Iowa taxes your paycheck
Iowa finished a multi-year overhaul by collapsing its old brackets into a single flat rate of 3.8% for 2026, so every dollar of taxable wage income is taxed at the same percentage regardless of how much you earn. After a standard deduction of $16,100 for a single filer, the calculator above applies that flat 3.8% to estimate the Iowa income tax withheld from your pay.
Because the rate no longer climbs as your salary rises, your effective Iowa rate stays close to 3.8% across most income levels — the flat structure is what makes take-home easy to predict here. The generous $16,100 standard deduction does shave the first slice of income before the rate applies, which nudges the effective rate slightly below the headline number.
The school-district surtax layered on top
Some Iowa school districts add a surtax that is unusual in how it's calculated: it's charged as a percentage of your state income tax, not of your income, so a small surtax percentage translates into only a minor dollar amount for most workers. The calculator above models state income tax only, not this local surtax, so if your district levies one your final withholding may be a touch higher.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Iowa income tax rate for 2026?
Iowa uses a flat 3.8% rate for 2026 after moving off its graduated brackets, so all taxable wage income is taxed at that single rate once the $16,100 standard deduction is subtracted. Enter your salary above to see the estimated Iowa tax on your specific pay.
Does Iowa have local income taxes?
Only in the form of an optional school-district surtax, which some districts apply as a small percentage of your state tax rather than your income. It's minor for most workers, and the calculator above reflects the state 3.8% rate rather than any district surtax.
- ·IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 — 2026 inflation adjustments — Tax year 2026 brackets & standard deduction
- ·IRS Topic 751 — Social Security & Medicare withholding rates
- ·Tax Foundation — 2026 State Income Tax Rates and Brackets — State wage-tax estimate; excludes local income taxes
RealMoneyIQ provides free educational calculators, not financial, tax, investment or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the assumptions you enter and publicly published rates; your actual outcome will differ. Always confirm decisions with a licensed professional who knows your full situation.