Iowa Income Tax Calculator 2026
See your Iowa state tax, effective rate, and take-home pay in 60 seconds.
Estimate only. Uses 2026 federal figures, Iowastate figures (see sources below), and a standard-deduction federal calculation. Filing status “Head of household” uses the single column for Iowa. Your actual tax depends on credits, additional income, and adjustments.
Worked example: A single filer earning $85,000 in Iowa
Start with $85,000 of wages. running it up Iowa's brackets produces about $4,556 in state income tax — an effective state rate near 5.4%, with a 5.7% marginal rate. Federal income tax and FICA are calculated separately and shown in the calculator above.
Assumes a single filer taking the standard treatment. Figures are educational estimates.
How Iowa taxes income
Iowa uses a graduated income tax: your income is taxed in slices, with each slice taxed at a higher rate as you move up the brackets from 4.4% to 5.7%.
Iowa generally starts from your federal income, applies state-specific adjustments and deductions, and then runs the result up the brackets. Credits and exemptions can change the final number — confirm the current details with the Iowa Department of Revenue.
2026 rate structure
| Rate | Single — taxable income up to | MFJ — taxable income up to |
|---|---|---|
| 4.40% | $6,000 | $6,000 |
| 4.82% | $30,000 | $30,000 |
| 5.70% | and above | and above |
Retirement income & Social Security
Iowa generally taxes retirement income such as 401(k), IRA, and pension distributions, though it may offer exclusions, deductions, or credits for certain pension or retirement income and for older taxpayers. Confirm the current exclusions with the Iowa Department of Revenue.
Local taxes & reciprocity
Iowa has no local or city income tax — only the state income tax applies to wages.
Reciprocity: Iowa has no income tax reciprocity agreements. If you work across state lines, you generally file a non-resident return where you work and claim a credit to avoid double taxation.
Notable deductions, credits & other taxes
Deductions & credits
- Iowa standard deduction and personal exemptions (verify current amounts with the Iowa Department of Revenue)
- Credit for income taxes paid to other states (for residents with out-of-state income)
- State versions of common credits — earned income, child/dependent care, and education credits — where offered
Capital gains: Iowa has no separate capital gains rate. Capital gains included in your federal AGI are taxed as ordinary income at Iowa's graduated rates.
Property tax: Property taxes in Iowa are assessed and collected locally, so effective rates vary widely by county and municipality. Check your county assessor or the Iowa Department of Revenue for local rates.
Iowa vs. neighboring states
Compared with its neighbors — Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska — Iowa's graduated rates up to 5.7% sit within the regional range. Effective rates depend heavily on income level, deductions, and local taxes. Note that South Dakota has no income tax at all, which can matter for people living or working near the border.
Iowa state tax FAQs
What is the Iowa state income tax rate for 2026?
Iowa uses graduated brackets ranging from 4.4% to 5.7%, with higher rates applying only to income above each threshold.
Does Iowa tax retirement income or Social Security?
Social Security benefits are exempt from Iowa income tax. For other retirement income, Iowa generally taxes 401(k), IRA, and pension distributions, though exclusions may apply. Verify with the Iowa Department of Revenue.
How are capital gains taxed in Iowa?
Iowa has no separate capital gains rate. Capital gains included in your federal AGI are taxed as ordinary income at Iowa's graduated rates.
Is there a local or city income tax in Iowa?
Iowa has no local or city income tax — only the state income tax applies to wages.
Does Iowa have tax reciprocity with neighboring states?
Iowa has no income tax reciprocity agreements. If you work across state lines, you generally file a non-resident return where you work and claim a credit to avoid being taxed twice.
Sources & verification
Last verified June 12, 2026.