How Rhode Island state tax withholding works
Rhode Island taxes wage income, so your employer withholds Rhode Island income tax from each paycheck in addition to federal tax. You tell your employer how much to withhold on Form RI W-4 (Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate), the state’s counterpart to the federal Form W-4.
For 2026, Rhode Island uses graduated tax rates. Each rate applies only to the income within its band — the single-filer schedule is:
| Rate | Taxable income over |
|---|---|
| 3.75% | $0 |
| 4.75% | $82,050 |
| 5.99% | $186,450 |
Rhode Island’s standard deduction is $11,200 (single) and $22,400 (married filing jointly).
Enter your pay above to see your estimated Rhode Island withholding per paycheck and per year, alongside your federal withholding and the exact W-4 entries.
Rhode Island vs. federal withholding
Your Rhode Island and federal withholding are figured separately. Federal withholding follows the IRS Publication 15-T tables and your Form W-4; Rhode Island withholding follows the state’s own rates and your Form RI 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 Rhode Island.
Important Rhode Island notes
- Rhode Island’s standard deduction and exemptions phase out at higher incomes; this estimate uses the full amounts.
Frequently asked questions
Sources & disclaimer
Federal figures use the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T. Rhode Island withholding is based on the 2026 Rhode Island income-tax structure; confirm exact figures and complete Form RI W-4 at the tax.ri.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 RI W-4.