WI

Wisconsin Paycheck Calculator

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

State tax: 7.65% 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.
Wisconsin state income tax (2026) Wisconsin top rate is 7.65% for income over $374,600.
Rates from 3.54% to 7.65% (over $374,600 single)

Wisconsin Income Tax Explained (2026)

Wisconsin has a state income tax with a progressive (3.54%–7.65%) structure. Workers earning typical wages generally pay an effective state rate between 3.8% and 7.7% depending on income and deductions. Understanding how Wisconsin's tax works helps you accurately predict your take-home pay and plan your withholding.

Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin compares to neighboring states

Minnesota
Up to 9.85%
Higher top rate
Iowa
~3.8% flat
Lower
Illinois
4.95% flat
Lower
Michigan
4.25% flat
Lower

What taxes come out of a Wisconsin paycheck?

A Wisconsin W-2 employee's paycheck is reduced by federal income tax (progressive 10%–37%), Wisconsin state income tax (progressive (3.54%–7.65%)), 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.

Wisconsin 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. Wisconsin freelancers must also make quarterly estimated state tax payments.

Wisconsin tax tips for 2026

  • Four brackets: Wisconsin's 7.65% top rate applies to income above $374,600 for single filers (2026). Most middle-income workers pay the 4.65% or 5.3% rate on the majority of their income.
  • Standard deduction: Wisconsin has its own standard deduction — $11,790 for single filers (2026). It phases out for higher incomes.
  • Retirement income: Wisconsin exempts most Social Security benefits from state income tax. Wisconsin also offers an exemption for railroad retirement income.
  • Estimated taxes: Wisconsin requires quarterly estimated payments if you expect to owe more than $500. Use Wisconsin Form 1-ES.

Frequently asked questions

Wisconsin has four progressive tax brackets: 3.54% on taxable income up to $13,810 (single), 4.65% on $13,811–$27,630, 5.3% on $27,631–$304,170, and 7.65% on income above $304,170. For most workers earning between $30,000 and $200,000, the 5.3% rate applies to the majority of their taxable income.
For a single filer earning $75,000 in Wisconsin in 2026, after Wisconsin's ~$11,790 standard deduction, taxable income is ~$63,210. Applying the brackets, state tax is approximately $3,300–$3,500. Combined with federal tax (~$10,294), Social Security ($4,650), and Medicare ($1,088), total deductions are ~$19,832. Take-home is approximately $55,168/year or ~$2,122 bi-weekly.
Wisconsin generally exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax. Wisconsin follows federal rules for Social Security taxation but provides a subtraction for the federally taxable portion, effectively making Social Security tax-free for most Wisconsin residents. This is a significant benefit for retirees in a state that otherwise has a fairly progressive income tax.
Illinois has a flat 4.95% rate while Wisconsin has rates ranging from 3.54% to 7.65%. For a $75,000 earner, Wisconsin's effective rate (~5.3%) is similar to Illinois's 4.95%, but Wisconsin's 5.3% bracket covers a wide range of income. For higher earners above $100,000, Wisconsin becomes more expensive than Illinois. For lower earners, Wisconsin can actually be cheaper due to its lower starting brackets.
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