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 Louisiana return
Total withholding per paycheck
$278
$7,231 / year
Gross pay minus federal, FICA, and state taxes
Federal
Louisiana State Tax
Louisiana's 2026 withholding formula uses a 3.09% rate (R-1306, Jan 2026) after a standard deduction of $12,875 (single) or $25,750 (married joint or head of household).
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Louisiana uses its own form: the L-4
Louisiana does not use your federal W-4 to set state withholding. You give your employer Form L-4 (R-1300), the Employee Withholding Certificate. The federal W-4 controls federal withholding, and the L-4 controls Louisiana. The Department of Revenue asked employees to file a new L-4 when the tables changed, so it is worth redoing if yours predates 2025.
In block A you pick the standard deduction that your employer uses: 0 for none, 1 for Single or Married filing separately, or 2 for Married filing jointly, Qualifying surviving spouse or Head of household. Claiming 0 withholds the most; claiming 1 or 2 withholds less.
How Louisiana withholding is calculated for 2026
Louisiana's 2026 formulas (R-1306, effective January 1, 2026) take your pay per period, subtract your standard deduction divided by the number of pay periods, and multiply the result by 3.09%. The deduction is $12,875 for block A = 1 and $25,750 for block A = 2. The state's income tax rate was reformed to a flat 3% for 2025, and the withholding rate is slightly higher so that enough tax is collected during the year.
For example, a single employee paid $700 a week has about $13.98 withheld: ($700 − ($12,875 ÷ 52)) × 3.09%.
Do you need to change anything?
If you earn a single paycheck and file as Single, block A = 1 is usually right. Married couples with two incomes should think about whether both claim 2, because each employer applies the larger deduction separately and the combined withholding can come up short. A federal W-4 adjustment will not fix Louisiana, so check both.
If you owe at tax time, claim 0 in block A or ask your employer to withhold more. For the federal side, see our guide on how to stop owing taxes.
Louisiana W-4 FAQ
What is Louisiana's withholding rate for 2026?+
Employers use 3.09% in the 2026 withholding formulas (R-1306), applied after the standard deduction you choose on the L-4.
What do I put in block A of the L-4?+
Enter 1 if you file Single or Married filing separately, 2 if you file Married filing jointly, as a Qualifying surviving spouse, or as Head of household, and 0 if you want no standard deduction applied and the most tax withheld.
Does the federal W-4 work for Louisiana?+
No. Louisiana uses the L-4. If you do not give your employer one, they cannot apply the deduction you are entitled to.
What is the Louisiana standard deduction for 2026?+
For withholding it is $12,875 for Single or Married filing separately and $25,750 for Married filing jointly, Qualifying surviving spouse or Head of household.
Does Louisiana have local income tax?+
No. Louisiana has no city or parish income tax. Local governments rely on other taxes.
Start with your federal W-4
Your Louisiana withholding follows your pay, but your W-4 is federal. Get the exact lines to fill in.
Open the W-4 Calculator →