Delaware income tax in 2026
Delaware has a graduated income tax with rates from 2.2% to 6.6% for single filers, spread across 7 brackets. Traditional 401(k) contributions lower your Delaware taxable income as well as your federal taxable income. Delaware then subtracts its own standard deduction of $3,250 for single filers ($6,500 married filing jointly). Tax credits subtracted from the tax: $110 single, $220 married filing jointly, $110 per dependent.
| Taxable income (all filers) | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $2,000 | 0% |
| $2,000 – $5,000 | 2.2% |
| $5,000 – $10,000 | 3.9% |
| $10,000 – $20,000 | 4.8% |
| $20,000 – $25,000 | 5.2% |
| $25,000 – $60,000 | 5.55% |
| Over $60,000 | 6.6% |
Local income taxes: City of Wilmington earned income (wage) tax of 1.25% on residents' earned income and on nonresidents' wages earned in the city; no other local income taxes in Delaware. These are not included in the calculator.
Delaware rules and notes
- 2026 schedule unchanged: 0% on the first $2,000, then 2.2%, 3.9%, 4.8%, 5.2%, 5.55% and 6.6% over $60,000. The same brackets apply to every filing status (they are not doubled for joint filers); married couples may instead file separately on a combined return to use the brackets twice.
- Proposals to add higher brackets did not become law: HB 13 (6.75% on $125,000-$250,000 and 6.95% above $250,000) was replaced by House Substitute 2 for HB 13 (higher rates only above $150,000, lower rates below $60,000), which remained in the House Revenue & Finance Committee when the 153rd General Assembly's session ended June 30, 2026. Delaware's 2026 estimated-tax instructions use the unchanged schedule.
- Standard deduction: $3,250 single/HOH/MFS, $6,500 MFJ, plus $2,500 extra per taxpayer who is 65+ or blind (standard-deduction filers only).
- Personal credit: $110 per federal exemption (taxpayer, spouse, dependents) plus an additional $110 for each taxpayer age 60 or older.
- Pension exclusion up to $2,000 (under 60) or $12,500 (60 and over); Social Security is not taxed. Delaware also taxes lump-sum distributions separately.
Delaware take-home pay by salary
Single filer, paid every two weeks, 2026 rules, standard deduction and no pre-tax deductions; includes Delaware income tax but not local taxes.
| Salary | Federal income tax | Social Security + Medicare | Delaware income tax | Take-home per year | Per bi-weekly paycheck |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $1,543 | $32,777 | $1,260.65 |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $2,098 | $40,257 | $1,548.34 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $2,653 | $47,737 | $1,836.03 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $3,609 | $57,984 | $2,230.13 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $5,259 | $73,921 | $2,843.12 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $8,559 | $105,232 | $4,047.38 |
Hourly wages after taxes in Delaware
Full-time (40 hours a week, 2,080 hours a year), no overtime, single filer:
| Hourly wage | Annual pay | Weekly take-home | Bi-weekly take-home | Take-home per year | Take-home per hour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15.00 | $31,200 | $503.74 | $1,007.48 | $26,194 | $12.59 |
| $20.00 | $41,600 | $653.34 | $1,306.68 | $33,974 | $16.33 |
| $25.00 | $52,000 | $802.94 | $1,605.88 | $41,753 | $20.07 |
| $30.00 | $62,400 | $952.54 | $1,905.08 | $49,532 | $23.81 |
Delaware vs. neighboring states
Take-home pay on a $75,000 salary (single, bi-weekly), with the difference from Delaware. Federal taxes are identical in every state, so the gaps come from state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, Delaware ranks #49 of 51 (50 states and DC) for take-home pay. Nationally, take-home pay on $75,000 ranges from $56,538 in Oregon to $61,593 in states without a wage tax; the median is $59,005.
| State | State income tax | Take-home per year | Per bi-weekly paycheck | vs. Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $3,609 | $57,984 | $2,230.13 | — |
| Pennsylvania | $2,303 | $59,290 | $2,280.38 | +$1,307 |
| New Jersey | $2,596 | $58,997 | $2,269.10 | +$1,013 |
| Maryland | $3,197 | $58,396 | $2,246.00 | +$413 |
Neighboring state calculators: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland. See all 50 states and DC on the national paycheck calculator.
How your Delaware paycheck is calculated
- Gross pay for the year is your salary, or your hourly wage × hours × 52 plus overtime at 1.5×.
- Pre-tax deductions such as a traditional 401(k), health premiums and HSA contributions are subtracted before federal income tax.
- Federal income tax uses the 2026 brackets, your filing status’s standard deduction ($16,100 single) and credits for children and other dependents.
- Social Security and Medicare take 6.2% (up to $184,500 of wages) and 1.45%.
- Delaware income tax is figured on the annual amount using the rules above, then divided across your paychecks.
We divide the annual totals by your number of paychecks, which is how a correctly completed 2026 Form W-4 is designed to withhold. Your employer’s withholding tables may differ by a few dollars per check. For your full-year tax bill, use the income tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $75,000 a year after taxes in Delaware?
A single filer earning $75,000 in Delaware takes home about $57,984 a year in 2026, or $2,230.13 per bi-weekly paycheck. That is after $7,670 of federal income tax, $5,738 of Social Security and Medicare and $3,609 of Delaware income tax. Pre-tax 401(k) or health deductions would lower your taxes but also your take-home pay.
Does Delaware have a state income tax?
Yes. Delaware has a graduated income tax with rates from 2.2% to 6.6% for single filers in 2026. On a $75,000 salary, that works out to about $3,609 a year, or $138.81 per bi-weekly paycheck, an effective state rate of 4.81% of gross pay. Employers withhold it from each paycheck along with federal taxes.
How much is $20 an hour after taxes in Delaware?
Full time (40 hours a week), $20 an hour is $41,600 a year. After 2026 federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Delaware income tax, a single filer in Delaware takes home about $33,974 a year, or $1,306.68 per bi-weekly paycheck, about $16.33 per hour worked.
Are there local income taxes in Delaware?
City of Wilmington earned income (wage) tax of 1.25% on residents' earned income and on nonresidents' wages earned in the city; no other local income taxes in Delaware. This calculator doesn’t include local taxes, so subtract them from the estimate if they apply where you live or work.
How does take-home pay in Delaware compare with nearby states?
On a $75,000 salary (single, bi-weekly), take-home pay is $57,984 a year in Delaware. In neighboring states it ranges from $58,396 to $59,290; Pennsylvania (the highest nearby) is $1,307 higher. Federal taxes are the same everywhere, so the gap comes entirely from state income tax.
How much federal tax comes out of each paycheck on a $75,000 salary?
Federal taxes don’t depend on the state. For a single filer paid every two weeks on $75,000, about $295.00 of federal income tax, $178.85 of Social Security (6.2%) and $41.83 of Medicare (1.45%) come out of each 2026 paycheck, based on the $16,100 standard deduction. Children, pre-tax deductions and W-4 choices change the federal amount.