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 Pennsylvania return
Total withholding per paycheck
$293
$7,616 / year
Gross pay minus federal, FICA, and state taxes
Federal
Pennsylvania State Tax
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How Pennsylvania withholding works
Pennsylvania has a flat personal income tax of 3.07% on almost all wages. There are no brackets, no standard deduction, and no personal exemptions, so your employer withholds 3.07% of your gross compensation each paycheck no matter how much you make.
Pennsylvania has no state W-4 and no withholding allowances. Employers simply multiply your taxable compensation by 3.07%, so nothing you write on your W-4 changes your PA withholding. The only form you control is the federal W-4 — use the calculator above to get it right.
Local Earned Income Tax (EIT) is separate
On top of the state tax, Pennsylvania municipalities and school districts levy a local Earned Income Tax. The rate depends on where you live, it is withheld by your employer in addition to the 3.07% state tax, and it is not included in the figures above. Philadelphia's wage tax is much higher than most places, at about 3.7% for residents.
Some workers also pay a Local Services Tax (LST), a small flat annual amount typically capped at $52 and collected from your paychecks. Where it exceeds $10 a year, people earning under $12,000 are exempt. Use the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development's (DCED) address lookup to find your exact local rates.
Pennsylvania quirks worth knowing
Unlike the federal government, Pennsylvania does not let you exclude 401(k) contributions from taxable wages, so those deferrals reduce your federal withholding but not your PA withholding. Health and welfare premiums paid through a Section 125 cafeteria plan are still excluded.
Pennsylvania has reciprocal agreements with Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia. If you live in one of those states and work in PA, you can file Form REV-419 with your employer so they withhold your home state's tax instead of PA's.
Pennsylvania W-4 FAQ
What is Pennsylvania's income tax rate?+
Pennsylvania has a flat state income tax rate of 3.07% on wages. It applies to all income levels with no brackets, standard deduction, or personal exemptions.
Does Pennsylvania have local income tax?+
Yes. Pennsylvania municipalities and school districts levy a local Earned Income Tax, and the rate depends on where you live. It is withheld in addition to the 3.07% state tax. Philadelphia's wage tax is about 3.7% for residents. Look up your exact rate with the DCED address lookup.
How do I fill out a W-4 in Pennsylvania?+
Pennsylvania has no separate state W-4 and no state withholding allowances, so you only fill out the federal Form W-4. Your employer withholds a flat 3.07% of taxable compensation for the state. Use the calculator on this page to see what to enter for Step 3 and Step 4.
Does Pennsylvania tax 401(k) contributions?+
Yes. Pennsylvania does not exclude employee 401(k) deferrals from taxable wages, even though they reduce your federal taxable income.
Start with your federal W-4
Your Pennsylvania withholding follows your pay, but your W-4 is federal. Get the exact lines to fill in.
Open the W-4 Calculator →