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Arkansas Paycheck Calculator

See exactly what you take home after federal taxes, Arkansas state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Updated for 2026.

State tax: 4.4% SS: 6.2% Medicare: 1.45% 2026 brackets
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1099 freelancer note: You owe both halves of Social Security & Medicare — that's 15.3% self-employment tax on top of income tax. Quarterly estimated payments due Apr 15, Jun 16, Sep 15, Jan 15.
Arkansas state income tax (2026) Arkansas top rate is 4.4% for income over $8,500.
Up to $4,300: 2%, $4,300–$8,500: 4%, over $8,500: 4.4%

Arkansas Income Tax Explained (2026)

Arkansas has a state income tax with a progressive (2%–4.4%) structure. Workers earning typical wages generally pay an effective state rate between 2.2% and 4.4% depending on income and deductions. Understanding how Arkansas's tax works helps you accurately predict your take-home pay and plan your withholding.

Arkansas residents also pay federal income tax (10%–37%), Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%). The combination of federal and state taxes is the primary driver of the gap between your gross pay and your actual paycheck.

How Arkansas compares to neighboring states

Missouri
4.8% top rate
Similar range
Tennessee
No income tax
Zero state tax
Texas
No income tax
Zero state tax
Mississippi
4.7% top rate
Similar range

What taxes come out of a Arkansas paycheck?

A Arkansas W-2 employee's paycheck is reduced by federal income tax (progressive 10%–37%), Arkansas state income tax (progressive (2%–4.4%)), Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to $184,500, and Medicare at 1.45% on all wages. High earners above $200,000 also pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on excess wages.

Arkansas freelancers and 1099 contractors pay self-employment tax of 15.3% — covering both employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare — on top of both federal and state income taxes. Half of the self-employment tax is deductible from federal adjusted gross income, reducing the effective burden slightly. Arkansas freelancers must also make quarterly estimated state tax payments.

Arkansas tax tips for 2026

  • Recent rate cuts: Arkansas has cut its top income tax rate multiple times in recent years — from 5.9% in 2022 down to 4.4% in 2024. Further reductions may occur in future years.
  • Standard deduction: Arkansas allows a $2,200 standard deduction for single filers ($4,400 married). This is lower than the federal standard deduction.
  • Low-income tax credit: Arkansas offers a low-income tax credit for filers with taxable income under $21,000, which can offset or eliminate state tax liability entirely.
  • Estimated taxes: Arkansas requires quarterly estimated payments if you expect to owe more than $1,000. Use Form AR1000ES.

Frequently asked questions

Arkansas uses a progressive tax structure with rates of 2% on the first $4,300 of taxable income, 4% on $4,301–$8,500, and 4.4% on income above $8,500. The 4.4% top rate applies to most middle and upper-income earners. Arkansas has been aggressively cutting rates and may reduce them further in coming years.
For a single filer earning $75,000 in Arkansas in 2026, after deductions, state income tax is approximately $2,200–$2,400. Combined with federal tax (~$10,294), Social Security ($4,650), and Medicare ($1,088), total deductions are roughly $18,232. Take-home is approximately $56,768/year or ~$2,183 bi-weekly.
Arkansas partially taxes retirement income. Social Security benefits are fully exempt. Military retirement pay is fully exempt. Other retirement income from qualified plans (401k, IRA, pensions) is taxable, but Arkansas offers a $6,000 exemption per taxpayer on retirement distributions for those over age 59½.
Yes. Arkansas provides a low-income tax credit that can eliminate state tax liability for workers earning less than $21,000 per year. Combined with the relatively low top rate of 4.4%, Arkansas's income tax burden on lower- and middle-income workers is below the national average for states with income taxes.
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