How Iowa state tax withholding works
Iowa taxes wage income, so your employer withholds Iowa income tax from each paycheck in addition to federal tax. You tell your employer how much to withhold on Form IA W-4 (Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate (44-019)), the state’s counterpart to the federal Form W-4.
For 2026, Iowa applies a flat 3.8% rate to your taxable wages, after a standard deduction of $16,100 (single) or $32,200 (married filing jointly) and personal/dependent tax credits.
Enter your pay above to see your estimated Iowa withholding per paycheck and per year, alongside your federal withholding and the exact W-4 entries.
Iowa vs. federal withholding
Your Iowa and federal withholding are figured separately. Federal withholding follows the IRS Publication 15-T tables and your Form W-4; Iowa withholding follows the state’s own rates and your Form IA W-4. Getting one right doesn’t guarantee the other — this calculator handles both so you don’t owe a surprise bill to either the IRS or Iowa.
Important Iowa notes
- Iowa moved to a flat 3.80% rate.
Frequently asked questions
Sources & disclaimer
Federal figures use the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T. Iowa withholding is based on the 2026 Iowa income-tax structure; confirm exact figures and complete Form IA W-4 at the tax.iowa.gov website.
This tool provides estimates for educational purposes and is not tax advice. State withholding is modeled from the state’s income-tax rules and may differ from the exact wage-bracket tables your employer uses. Verify against your pay stub and consult a qualified tax professional before submitting your W-4 or Form IA W-4.


