Tip: Start from the federal W-4 calculator to pre-fill your pay and federal results here automatically.
Your Paycheck
Filing Status
Credits & Adjustments (Optional)
Leave blank if you're not sure — these only affect your federal withholding.
$2,200 per child under 17 · $500 per other dependent. Reduces your withholding.
Add extra to cover side income, freelance, or investment income each paycheck.
Non-wage income: freelance, dividends, rental income. Annual total.
If you itemize and deductions exceed the standard deduction. Annual total.
File your Iowa return
Total withholding per paycheck
$292
$7,596 / year
Gross pay minus federal, FICA, and state taxes
Federal
Iowa State Tax
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Iowa uses its own form: the IA W-4
Iowa does not use your federal W-4 to set state withholding. You give your employer an IA W-4, the Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate. The Iowa Department of Revenue updated both the formula and the form for 2026 to reflect the changes to federal deductions, and it encourages employees to file the 2026 IA W-4 and review their withholding.
Employers may keep using an older IA W-4. If yours is from 2023 or earlier, your employer applies the old rules, where each allowance is worth $40. If it is from 2024 or later, they use the total allowance amount reported on your form.
How Iowa withholding is calculated for 2026
Iowa's four-step formula subtracts a deduction from your pay, multiplies by the flat 3.8% rate, subtracts your allowance amount divided by pay periods, and adds any extra withholding you requested. The deduction is $13,000 a year if you check Other, or Married filing jointly with a spouse who has earned income; $19,500 for Head of Household; and $26,000 for Married filing jointly when your spouse has no earned income, or for a Qualifying surviving spouse. The deduction is not the federal standard deduction.
For example, a single employee paid $2,100 every two weeks with a $40 allowance has ($2,100 − $500) × 3.8% − ($40 ÷ 26) = about $59.26 withheld per paycheck.
Two incomes and bonuses
If you are married and both of you work, answer Yes to the spouse-earns-income question so each employer uses the $13,000 deduction. Choosing No when your spouse works applies the $26,000 deduction to both paychecks and under-withholds.
When federal tax is withheld from a bonus at a flat rate, Iowa requires its own withholding at 3.8% on that payment.
Iowa W-4 FAQ
What is Iowa's income tax rate for 2026?+
Iowa has a flat income tax rate of 3.8% for 2026. All levels of taxable income are subject to it.
Does Iowa use the federal W-4?+
No. Iowa uses the IA W-4. A new version for 2026 reflects the federal tax changes, and employers may keep using an older one on file.
What deduction does Iowa use for withholding in 2026?+
$13,000 for Other or for married filing jointly with a working spouse, $19,500 for Head of Household, and $26,000 for married filing jointly when the spouse has no earned income or for a qualifying surviving spouse.
How much is an Iowa withholding allowance?+
On an IA W-4 from 2023 or earlier, each allowance is worth $40. On a 2024 or later form, your employer uses the total allowance amount on the form.
How are bonuses withheld in Iowa?+
If federal tax is withheld on a flat-rate basis, Iowa tax must be withheld at 3.8%, the highest rate applicable to individuals.
Start with your federal W-4
Your Iowa withholding follows your pay, but your W-4 is federal. Get the exact lines to fill in.
Open the W-4 Calculator →