Arizona Paycheck Calculator

Arizona charges a flat 2.5% state income tax. This calculator is pre-set to Arizona — see your full take-home pay breakdown.

Last updated: March 17, 2026

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Paycheck Details — Arizona

Total compensation before any taxes or deductions

$
$15K $1.5M

Pre-set to Arizona — change to compare

$
$

Take-Home Pay (per paycheck)

$0.00

Gross Pay

$0

Federal Tax

$0

State Tax

$0

Local Tax

$0

FICA

$0

Deductions

$0

Paycheck Breakdown

Effective Total Tax Rate

0%

Annual Summary

Where Every Dollar Goes — Arizona

Each bar shows how much of your income falls into that bracket.

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Arizona's 2.5% Flat Income Tax

Arizona applies a flat 2.5% tax on all taxable income. Unlike progressive systems where higher income pushes you into higher brackets, every dollar in Arizona is taxed at the same rate. This simplifies calculations and means your marginal and effective state tax rates are identical (or nearly so). On $85,000, state tax is $2,125/year. On $200,000, it's $5,000/year. The proportionality is straightforward.

Maximizing Your Take-Home Pay in Arizona

The most effective lever for increasing take-home pay in Arizona is pre-tax retirement contributions. A traditional 401(k) contribution reduces your taxable income for both federal and state taxes. At $85,000 in Arizona, your combined marginal rate (federal + state) is approximately 25%. Every $100 directed to a pre-tax 401(k) saves $25 in taxes — you sacrifice $75 in take-home pay, not $100. HSA contributions (if you have a high-deductible health plan) go further — they reduce federal, state, AND FICA taxes, saving roughly 33% on every contributed dollar.

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Maximize Your Arizona Take-Home Pay

Fidelity offers zero-fee index funds and easy 401(k) management. See how increasing your contribution affects your paycheck above.

Learn More at Fidelity

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Arizona's 2.5% flat tax work?
Arizona taxes all income at a flat 2.5% rate. Unlike progressive systems, every dollar is taxed the same — an $85,000 earner pays the same rate as a $500,000 earner. On $85,000, Arizona state tax is approximately $2,125/year or $82 per biweekly paycheck.
Are there local income taxes in Arizona?
No. Arizona does not have city or county income taxes. Your paycheck deductions are limited to federal tax, state income tax (2.5% flat), and FICA (Social Security and Medicare). Some states like New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania add local taxes of 1-4% on top of state rates — Arizona residents avoid that extra layer.
How much does a 401(k) contribution save in Arizona?
Pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income for both federal and Arizona state income tax (but not FICA). On $85,000 in Arizona, a $500 biweekly 401(k) contribution ($13,000/year) saves approximately $3,185 in combined federal and state taxes per year. Your biweekly paycheck drops by about $378, not $500 — the tax shield covers the rest. Use the 401(k) field in the calculator above to see the exact impact.
How does Arizona's tax burden compare to other states?
On an $85,000 salary, take-home pay varies by $5,000-$8,000 across states due to different income tax rates. Arizona's 2.5% flat rate puts it among the lower-tax states. Nine states charge no income tax at all. Use the "Compare Another State" feature in the calculator above to see an exact side-by-side breakdown.
How are Social Security and Medicare taxes calculated on my Arizona paycheck?
FICA taxes are federal — they're the same in every state. Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 ($10,918 max/year). Medicare: 1.45% on all wages, plus an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000. On $85,000, FICA totals $6,502/year ($250/biweekly paycheck). FICA is calculated on gross wages before any deductions — pre-tax 401(k) and health insurance contributions don't reduce FICA. Your employer pays a matching 7.65% on top of what you see on your pay stub.
This calculator is for educational purposes. Consult a financial professional for advice specific to your situation. Tax brackets reflect 2025 federal and state schedules. Actual paycheck amounts vary based on W-4 elections, additional withholding, and employer-specific deductions not modeled here.
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