Iowa Income Tax Overview
Iowa uses a progressive (graduated) income tax system with multiple tax brackets. This means higher portions of your income are taxed at higher rates. Iowa reformed its brackets for TY2025; top rate is 6.0%, scheduled to drop to 3.9% by 2026.
Iowa Tax Brackets (Single Filer, 2025)
| Tax Rate | Income Range |
|---|---|
| 4.40% | $0 – $6,210 |
| 4.82% | $6,210 – $31,050 |
| 5.70% | $31,050 – $62,100 |
| 6.00% | $62,100 – and above |
Local Taxes: Many Iowa school districts levy a surtax on state income tax liability, typically 1%-20% of state tax.
Iowa Paycheck Breakdown Example
For an employee earning $75,000 per year in Iowa, here's what a typical paycheck breakdown looks like:
- Gross Annual Salary: $75,000
- Federal Income Tax: ~$8,600 (estimated, single filer, standard deduction)
- Social Security: $4,650 (6.2% × $75,000)
- Medicare: $1,088 (1.45% × $75,000)
- Iowa State Tax: varies based on brackets (use calculator above for exact amount)
Use our free calculator above to get your exact take-home pay based on your specific salary, filing status, and deductions.
How Iowa Taxes Compare to Other States
Compared to the national average state income tax rate of approximately 4.6%, Iowa's progressive brackets put it among states with graduated rate structures. Use our state comparison tool to see exactly how much more or less you'd take home in a different state.
Compare with Neighboring States
Tips to Maximize Your Take-Home Pay in Iowa
- Contribute to a 401(k) or 403(b) — Pre-tax retirement contributions reduce both your federal and state taxable income (up to $23,500 for 2025).
- Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) — If eligible, HSA contributions (up to $4,300 individual / $8,550 family in 2025) are tax-deductible at both federal and state levels.
- Review your W-4 — Make sure your withholding allowances match your actual tax situation to avoid over-withholding.
- Consider itemized deductions — If your mortgage interest, state/local taxes (up to $10,000 SALT cap), and charitable contributions exceed the standard deduction, itemizing could save you money.
Related Calculators
- Settlement Tax Calculator — Estimate taxes on lawsuit settlements
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- State Salary Comparison Tool — Compare take-home pay between two states