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Iowa Paycheck Guide

Iowa uses progressive tax brackets. Higher portions of pay are taxed at higher rates.

PI
Reviewed by PayslipIQ Editorial Team, in-house payroll editor
Last reviewed May 2026 · Editorial standards

In short

A Iowa paycheck has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%), plus progressive Iowa state income tax, and local income tax in some cities. On a $65,000 single-filer salary, estimated Iowa take-home is about $50,833 a year, or $1,955 per biweekly paycheck.

PayslipIQ provides educational information and estimated calculations only. It does not provide tax, legal, financial, accounting, employment, benefits, or payroll advice. PayslipIQ is not a CPA firm, law firm, financial advisor, payroll provider, or tax authority. Always verify your paycheck, deductions, withholdings, and tax position with your employer's payroll department, a qualified CPA, the IRS, your state tax authority, or another appropriately qualified professional. Calculations are estimates; your actual paycheck may differ based on factors specific to your employer, location, benefits elections, and personal tax situation.

Iowa: the local picture

Iowa moved to a flat 3.8% state income tax in 2025 after consolidating four brackets. No local income tax. Minimum wage is the federal $7.25/hr.

Iowa Paycheck Calculator

Estimate take-home pay for Iowa.

Iowa State Tax

Iowa tax structure and rates.

Iowa Overtime

Federal FLSA applies.

Iowa Pay Stub Laws

Employer pay stub requirements in Iowa.

Iowa take-home pay by salary (2026)

See estimated Iowa take-home for common salaries. Each page has a full federal, FICA, and Iowa breakdown with per-paycheck figures.

$40,000 after tax$50,000 after tax$60,000 after tax$75,000 after tax$90,000 after tax$100,000 after tax$125,000 after tax$150,000 after tax
All Iowa salariesIowa gross-to-net calculator

How a Iowa paycheck is built

Every Iowa worker pays federal income tax, calculated on the W-4 you submitted to your employer using the IRS Publication 15-T tables. Federal income tax is followed by FICA: 6.2 percent Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 1.45 percent Medicare on every dollar. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies once year-to-date wages cross $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly.

Iowa adds progressive state income tax. The bracket you fall into depends on filing status and taxable income. Verify current brackets with the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Local taxes: Iowa has cities or counties that levy local income tax on top of state tax. Common examples are noted on the local-tax page.

What changed recently in Iowa

  • Flat 3.8% rate effective 2025.
  • Standard deduction increased.
  • Federal income tax deduction on Iowa return phased out.

Iowa payroll quirks workers should know

  • Iowa W-4 form for state withholding.
  • No city or county income tax.

Example breakdown

A hypothetical Iowa worker on a $65,000 annual salary, paid bi-weekly, single filer, no extra adjustments. Educational only, your real paycheck differs.

Gross (bi-weekly)$2,500.00
Federal income tax-$216.15
Social Security (6.2%)-$155.00
Medicare (1.45%)-$36.25
Iowa state tax-$137.50
Estimated take-home$1,955.10

Run your own numbers in the Iowa paycheck calculator.

Authoritative sources

Next steps

Want to go further?

The calculators and guides here are free. If you want a closer look at one specific stub, these optional next steps go deeper.

Premium pay stub report
A detailed one-off PDF that walks through every line on one stub, with a verify-with-payroll checklist.
Monthly paycheck monitor
Track each stub against the last one and get a plain-English alert when something shifts.
Talk to a CPA or EA
For anything that affects your taxes, find a credentialed professional through the IRS and state directories.

How PayslipIQ stays free: the tools and guides are free to use. PayslipIQ offers optional paid reports and monitoring, and links to independent CPA and tax-preparer directories. It is not affiliated with the IRS, the SSA, any employer, or any payroll provider, and does not sell user data. Educational only, not tax, legal, or financial advice.

Frequently asked questions

Does Iowa have state income tax?
Yes. Iowa uses progressive brackets. Verify with the Iowa Department of Revenue.
Are there local income taxes in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa has cities or counties that add local income tax on top of state tax. Check your specific city.
Does Iowa have State Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave premiums?
No. Iowa does not have state-mandated SDI or PFL employee premiums.
Does Iowa have daily-overtime rules?
No. Iowa follows federal FLSA: 1.5x for hours above 40 in a workweek.
What is FICA on a Iowa paycheck?
FICA is federal: 6.2 percent Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 1.45 percent Medicare on every dollar. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies above $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly. FICA applies in every state.
Where do I verify Iowa state tax withholding?
The Iowa Department of Revenue (https://tax.iowa.gov/) is the authoritative source. For your specific paycheck, contact your employer's payroll team or a CPA.
Why did my Iowa state tax drop in 2025?
Iowa consolidated brackets and lowered the flat rate to 3.8%. For most earners this is a meaningful cut.