Wisconsin income tax in 2026
Wisconsin has a graduated income tax with rates from 3.5% to 7.65% for single filers, spread across 4 brackets. Traditional 401(k) contributions lower your Wisconsin taxable income as well as your federal taxable income. Wisconsin then subtracts its own standard deduction of $13,960 for single filers ($25,840 married filing jointly). Personal exemptions: $700 single, $1,400 married filing jointly, $700 per dependent.
| Taxable income (single) | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $15,110 | 3.5% |
| $15,110 – $51,950 | 4.4% |
| $51,950 – $332,720 | 5.3% |
| Over $332,720 | 7.65% |
| Taxable income (married filing jointly) | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $20,150 | 3.5% |
| $20,150 – $69,260 | 4.4% |
| $69,260 – $443,630 | 5.3% |
| Over $443,630 | 7.65% |
Wisconsin rules and notes
- 2026 rate schedules come from the Wisconsin DOR 2026 Form 1-ES instructions (laws enacted as of Jan. 16, 2026). Rates are 3.5%, 4.4%, 5.3% and 7.65%, and the brackets are indexed. Head of household uses the single schedule (Schedule A).
- The Wisconsin standard deduction is a sliding scale that shrinks as income rises. The values here are the 2026 maximums. Single: $13,960 up to $20,119 of Wisconsin income, then reduced by 12% of income over $20,120, reaching $0 at $136,453. Married filing jointly: $25,840, reduced by 19.778% over $29,040, $0 at $159,690. Married filing separately: $12,280, reduced by 19.778% over $13,780, $0 at $75,869. Head of household: $18,030, reduced by 22.515% over $20,120 until the single schedule takes over at $58,827, $0 at $136,453.
- Exemptions: $700 each for the taxpayer, spouse and each dependent, plus $250 for each taxpayer or spouse age 65+.
- Since tax year 2025 (2025 Wis. Act 15), individuals age 67+ may subtract up to $24,000 of retirement income ($48,000 on a joint return if both spouses qualify). Anyone who claims this subtraction cannot claim any credit on that year's return.
- Wisconsin starts from federal AGI and has not adopted the federal tips and overtime deductions for 2026. A May 2026 special-session deal that would have excluded tips and overtime from 2026 income failed in the state Senate (15-18) on May 13, 2026.
- Wisconsin has no local income taxes.
Wisconsin take-home pay by salary
Single filer, paid every two weeks, 2026 rules, standard deduction and no pre-tax deductions; includes Wisconsin income tax but not local taxes.
| Salary | Federal income tax | Social Security + Medicare | Wisconsin income tax | Take-home per year | Per bi-weekly paycheck |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $1,084 | $33,236 | $1,278.31 |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $1,577 | $40,778 | $1,568.39 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $2,070 | $48,320 | $1,858.48 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $2,944 | $58,649 | $2,255.73 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $4,428 | $74,752 | $2,875.10 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $7,309 | $106,482 | $4,095.45 |
Hourly wages after taxes in Wisconsin
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 | $511.52 | $1,023.04 | $26,599 | $12.79 |
| $20.00 | $41,600 | $662.36 | $1,324.72 | $34,443 | $16.56 |
| $25.00 | $52,000 | $813.21 | $1,626.41 | $42,287 | $20.33 |
| $30.00 | $62,400 | $963.90 | $1,927.80 | $50,123 | $24.10 |
Wisconsin vs. neighboring states
Take-home pay on a $75,000 salary (single, bi-weekly), with the difference from Wisconsin. Federal taxes are identical in every state, so the gaps come from state income tax. On a $75,000 salary, Wisconsin ranks #35 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. Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $2,944 | $58,649 | $2,255.73 | — |
| Iowa | $2,198 | $59,394 | $2,284.40 | +$745 |
| Michigan | $2,937 | $58,656 | $2,255.99 | +$7 |
| Illinois | $3,568 | $58,025 | $2,231.72 | −$624 |
| Minnesota | $3,577 | $58,016 | $2,231.38 | −$633 |
Neighboring state calculators: Iowa, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota. See all 50 states and DC on the national paycheck calculator.
How your Wisconsin 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%.
- Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin?
A single filer earning $75,000 in Wisconsin takes home about $58,649 a year in 2026, or $2,255.73 per bi-weekly paycheck. That is after $7,670 of federal income tax, $5,738 of Social Security and Medicare and $2,944 of Wisconsin income tax. Pre-tax 401(k) or health deductions would lower your taxes but also your take-home pay.
Does Wisconsin have a state income tax?
Yes. Wisconsin has a graduated income tax with rates from 3.5% to 7.65% for single filers in 2026. On a $75,000 salary, that works out to about $2,944 a year, or $113.21 per bi-weekly paycheck, an effective state rate of 3.92% of gross pay. Employers withhold it from each paycheck along with federal taxes.
How much is $20 an hour after taxes in Wisconsin?
Full time (40 hours a week), $20 an hour is $41,600 a year. After 2026 federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Wisconsin income tax, a single filer in Wisconsin takes home about $34,443 a year, or $1,324.72 per bi-weekly paycheck, about $16.56 per hour worked.
How does take-home pay in Wisconsin compare with nearby states?
On a $75,000 salary (single, bi-weekly), take-home pay is $58,649 a year in Wisconsin. In neighboring states it ranges from $58,016 to $59,394; Iowa (the highest nearby) is $745 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.