Iowa Income Tax Calculator 2026
Iowa has a progressive individual income tax system under the current published tax structure with three marginal tax brackets. This iowa income tax calculator provides a simplified estimate of Iowa state income tax based on the published bracket thresholds for filers other than married taxpayers filing jointly. Results are simplified estimates and may not reflect all Iowa tax rules, adjustments, credits, or filing-specific factors.
Estimates are shown for the 2026 tax year. In cases where official figures have not yet been finalized, calculations are based on the most recently available data and may be updated when final guidance is published.
Annual taxable income for the selected tax year.
Estimated state income tax
Shows an estimated state income tax and an effective rate based on the provided values.
Iowa Income Tax Calculator 2026 – how it works
Iowa state income tax is calculated using marginal rates that apply to portions of taxable income within each bracket. For filers other than married filing jointly, the brackets are from 0 to 6,210 at 4.40%, from 6,210 to 31,050 at 4.82%, and from 31,050 to and above at 5.70%. A marginal structure means income is not taxed at a single rate; instead, each slice of income is taxed at the rate for its bracket. This configuration reflects a personal exemption amount of 0, so no personal exemption reduction is applied in the estimate.
Examples
The marginal structure affects how additional income is taxed. For example, when taxable income is within the range from 0 to 6,210, the applicable marginal rate is 4.40% for that portion. When taxable income extends above 6,210 and remains up to 31,050, the portion within that bracket is taxed at 4.82%, while the portion from 0 to 6,210 remains taxed at 4.40%. When taxable income exceeds 31,050, the portion above 31,050 is taxed at 5.70%, with the earlier portions still taxed at their respective lower rates. These examples describe bracket behavior only and do not include other Iowa-specific adjustments or credits.
Limitations and important notes
This estimate is limited to Iowa state income tax bracket behavior for filers other than married filing jointly, using the three marginal brackets listed and a personal exemption amount of 0. It does not account for filing-status-specific rules beyond the noted bracket structure, nor does it incorporate other components that can affect Iowa tax outcomes, such as deductions, credits, income modifications, or special tax treatments. Tax results can also differ based on definitions of taxable income and other return-level calculations. For official guidance and current forms and instructions, refer to the Iowa Department of Revenue (https://revenue.iowa.gov).
FAQs about Iowa Income Tax Calculator 2026
What does “progressive” mean for Iowa state income tax?
A progressive income tax applies higher marginal rates to higher portions of taxable income. In Iowa (for filers other than married filing jointly in this configuration), taxable income is divided into portions that fall within the ranges from 0 to 6,210, from 6,210 to 31,050, and from 31,050 to and above. Each portion is taxed at its bracket’s rate, rather than taxing all income at one rate. This structure affects how tax changes as taxable income increases.
How do marginal tax brackets affect the tax rate applied to income?
Marginal brackets apply different rates to different slices of taxable income. Under the bracket set described here, the first portion of taxable income from 0 to 6,210 is taxed at 4.40%. If taxable income exceeds 6,210, only the amount above 6,210 and up to 31,050 is taxed at 4.82%, while the earlier portion remains taxed at 4.40%. If taxable income exceeds 31,050, only the amount above 31,050 is taxed at 5.70%.
Which Iowa bracket structure is reflected in this estimate?
Iowa publishes separate bracket structures for married taxpayers filing jointly and for all other filers. This estimate reflects the bracket thresholds for all taxpayers other than married filing jointly only. The brackets applied are from 0 to 6,210 at 4.40%, from 6,210 to 31,050 at 4.82%, and from 31,050 to and above at 5.70%. If a return is filed as married filing jointly, the applicable bracket thresholds may differ from the ones described here.
Does this estimate include a personal exemption for Iowa?
This configuration applies a personal exemption amount of 0. That means the estimate does not reduce taxable income by a personal exemption amount before applying the Iowa marginal brackets described. In practice, Iowa tax outcomes can depend on how taxable income is determined and on other return components that are not represented here. As a result, the estimate should be treated as a simplified calculation focused on bracket behavior rather than a complete Iowa return computation.
Why might an Iowa income tax estimate differ from a final Iowa return?
An estimate based only on marginal brackets can differ from a final Iowa return because a full return can include additional calculations beyond the bracket rates and thresholds. Items such as deductions, credits, income adjustments, and other Iowa-specific rules can change taxable income or the final tax liability. This estimate is intentionally simplified to reflect only the three marginal brackets listed for filers other than married filing jointly and a personal exemption amount of 0, so it may not match a completed return.
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Calculations are simplified and for guidance only. Always double-check results and current rules with official sources or a qualified professional before making financial decisions.