How Missouri state tax withholding works
Missouri taxes wage income, so your employer withholds Missouri income tax from each paycheck in addition to federal tax. You tell your employer how much to withhold on Form MO W-4 (Employee's Withholding Certificate), the state’s counterpart to the federal Form W-4.
For 2026, Missouri uses graduated tax rates. Each rate applies only to the income within its band — the single-filer schedule is:
| Rate | Taxable income over |
|---|---|
| 0% | $0 |
| 2% | $1,313 |
| 2.5% | $2,626 |
| 3% | $3,939 |
| 3.5% | $5,252 |
| 4% | $6,565 |
| 4.5% | $7,878 |
| 4.7% | $9,191 |
Missouri’s standard deduction is $16,100 (single) and $32,200 (married filing jointly).
Enter your pay above to see your estimated Missouri withholding per paycheck and per year, alongside your federal withholding and the exact W-4 entries.
Missouri vs. federal withholding
Your Missouri and federal withholding are figured separately. Federal withholding follows the IRS Publication 15-T tables and your Form W-4; Missouri withholding follows the state’s own rates and your Form MO 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 Missouri.
Important Missouri notes
- Missouri’s top rate is 4.70% for 2026, reached through small graduated brackets. Bracket thresholds are approximate — verify with the MO withholding formula.
Frequently asked questions
Sources & disclaimer
Federal figures use the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T. Missouri withholding is based on the 2026 Missouri income-tax structure; confirm exact figures and complete Form MO W-4 at the dor.mo.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 MO W-4.