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Ohio Paycheck Guide

Ohio 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 on methodology

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.

Ohio: the local picture

Ohio runs a graduated state income tax with a top rate of 3.5% (low compared to most states). The notable feature is local: hundreds of Ohio municipalities levy their own city income tax, administered through RITA (Regional Income Tax Agency) or CCA (Central Collection Agency). Many Ohio paychecks show 2-4 separate tax lines.

Ohio Paycheck Calculator

Estimate take-home pay for Ohio.

Ohio State Tax

Ohio tax structure and rates.

Ohio Overtime

Federal FLSA applies.

Ohio Pay Stub Laws

Employer pay stub requirements in Ohio.

How a Ohio paycheck is built

Every Ohio 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.

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

Local taxes: Ohio 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 Ohio

  • Top state rate cut from 3.75% to 3.5% in 2024, with further cuts proposed.
  • City rates adjusted by individual cities annually.
  • JEDD (Joint Economic Development District) taxes apply in some areas.

Ohio payroll quirks workers should know

  • Many Ohio cities levy 1.5% to 2.5% city income tax on work AND on residence (with credits to avoid double tax).
  • School district income tax (SDIT) applies in many districts on top of state and city.
  • IT-4 state form, plus separate municipal forms.

Example breakdown

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

Gross (bi-weekly)$2500.00
Federal income tax-$250.00
Social Security (6.2%)-$155.00
Medicare (1.45%)-$36.25
Ohio state tax-$112.50
Estimated take-home$1946.25

Run your own numbers in the Ohio paycheck calculator.

Authoritative sources

Frequently asked questions

Does Ohio have state income tax?
Yes. Ohio uses progressive brackets. Verify with the Ohio Department of Taxation.
Are there local income taxes in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio has cities or counties that add local income tax on top of state tax. Check your specific city.
Does Ohio have State Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave premiums?
No. Ohio does not have state-mandated SDI or PFL employee premiums.
Does Ohio have daily-overtime rules?
No. Ohio follows federal FLSA: 1.5x for hours above 40 in a workweek.
What is FICA on a Ohio 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 Ohio state tax withholding?
The Ohio Department of Taxation (https://tax.ohio.gov/) is the authoritative source. For your specific paycheck, contact your employer's payroll team or a CPA.
Why does my Ohio paycheck have so many tax lines?
Ohio state, possibly your work-city tax (where the office is), possibly your residence-city tax (where you live), possibly school district tax. Most are 1-2.5%, but they add up to noticeable take-home erosion.
What is RITA on my Ohio paycheck?
Regional Income Tax Agency, the third-party tax administrator that hundreds of Ohio cities use. Your work-city or residence-city tax is being collected through RITA.
Why is there a "school district" tax line?
Many Ohio school districts levy an income tax on residents within the district. Rate varies 0.25% to 2.0%. It is separate from city tax and from state tax.