Iowa Paycheck Calculator

Iowa taxes all income at a flat 3.9% 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, Iowa state tax is approximately $3,315/year or $128 per biweekly paycheck.

No. Iowa does not have city or county income taxes. Your paycheck deductions are limited to federal tax, state income tax (3.9% 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 — Iowa residents avoid that extra layer.

Pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce your taxable income for both federal and Iowa state income tax (but not FICA). On $85,000 in Iowa, a $500 biweekly 401(k) contribution ($13,000/year) saves approximately $3,367 in combined federal and state taxes per year. Your biweekly paycheck drops by about $371, not $500 — the tax shield covers the rest. Use the 401(k) field in the calculator above to see the exact impact.

On an $85,000 salary, take-home pay varies by $5,000-$8,000 across states due to different income tax rates. Iowa's 3.9% 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.

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.