Wisconsin Tax Brackets 2026
| Rate | Single taxable income | Married jointly taxable income |
|---|---|---|
| 3.50% | $0 to $15,110 | $0 to $20,150 |
| 4.40% | $15,110 to $51,950 | $20,150 to $69,260 |
| 5.30% | $51,950 to $332,720 | $69,260 to $443,630 |
| 7.65% | Over $332,720 | Over $443,630 |
The thresholds are indexed every year. Joint brackets are wider than single ones, but not twice as wide.
The Sliding Standard Deduction
Wisconsin's standard deduction is largest for low incomes and shrinks to zero:
- Single: $13,960, reduced by 12% of income over $20,120, gone above $136,453.
- Married jointly: $25,840, reduced by 19.778% of income over $29,040, gone above $159,690.
Each filer also gets a $700 exemption. While the deduction is shrinking, a raise adds to taxable income faster than it adds to pay.
Worked Example: $55,000 Single in Wisconsin
A single nurse aide in Green Bay on $55,000:
- Standard deduction: $13,960 − 12% × $34,880 = $9,774.40.
- Taxable income after the $700 exemption: $44,525.60.
- Tax: $528.85 plus 4.4% of the amount over $15,110 = $1,823.14.
| Line | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $55,000 | $4,583.33 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,420 | −$368.33 |
| Social Security | −$3,410 | −$284.17 |
| Medicare | −$797.50 | −$66.46 |
| Wisconsin income tax | −$1,823.14 | −$151.93 |
| Net pay | $44,549.36 | $3,712.45 |
Her taxable income stays inside the 4.4% band, so the 5.3% rate never touches this salary. Wisconsin takes 3.31% of her gross pay, the federal lines the rest.
Wisconsin Take Home Pay Table
Single filer, 2026:
| Salary | Wisconsin tax | All deductions | Net per year | Net per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $591.14 | $4,306.14 | $25,693.86 | $2,141.16 |
| $40,000 | $1,083.94 | $6,763.94 | $33,236.06 | $2,769.67 |
| $65,000 | $2,349.92 | $12,942.42 | $52,057.58 | $4,338.13 |
| $90,000 | $3,833.92 | $21,688.92 | $68,311.08 | $5,692.59 |
| $140,000 | $6,779.36 | $39,823.36 | $100,176.64 | $8,348.05 |
| $200,000 | $9,959.36 | $61,032.36 | $138,967.64 | $11,580.64 |
At $40,000 the deduction still shelters part of pay, and Wisconsin takes $1,083.94.
What a raise is worth
Take the $55,000 example and add $1,000. Net pay rises by $754.22. Wisconsin's share of the raise is larger than the 4.4% rate suggests, because the standard deduction also loses 12% of the raise.
State cost of $1,000 = 4.4% × ($1,000 + $120) = $49.28
The same effect hits joint filers harder, since their deduction shrinks by 19.778% of each extra dollar. Above $136,453 single or $159,690 joint the deduction is gone and the marginal state rate equals the bracket rate.
Married Couples in Wisconsin
On $65,000 joint, the deduction is $18,727.83 and two exemptions add $1,400. Wisconsin tax is $1,793.03 and net pay $54,794.47.
The joint deduction starts at $25,840, less than twice the single amount, and fades faster. For two similar earners this can mean slightly more Wisconsin tax as a married couple than as two single people. Wisconsin offers a married couple credit that offsets part of this, which the calculator leaves out.
Wisconsin Pay per Paycheck
| Pay schedule | Gross per paycheck | Net per paycheck |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly (52) | $1,250 | $1,001.11 |
| Every two weeks (26) | $2,500 | $2,002.21 |
| Twice a month (24) | $2,708.33 | $2,169.07 |
| Monthly (12) | $5,416.67 | $4,338.13 |
Employers withhold with the WT-4 form and the state formula in Publication W-166, which can differ from the annual tax.
The withholding formula does not apply the sliding deduction in exactly the same way as the return. Lower earners often get a small refund in spring, and two earner couples sometimes owe a little. Claiming fewer exemptions on the WT-4 raises withholding if you want to avoid a bill.
What Wisconsin Taxes and What It Does Not
- Taxed: wages, bonuses, commission and tips.
- Reduces Wisconsin income: traditional 401(k) deferrals and pre tax health premiums.
- No local income tax: Milwaukee, Madison and other cities do not tax pay.
- No state disability or paid leave deduction from employees.
Wisconsin and Its Neighbours
Commuters cross the state line every day toward Minneapolis, Chicago and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Wisconsin has a reciprocity agreement with Illinois and Michigan, so residents of those states working in Wisconsin, and Wisconsin residents working there, usually pay only their home state.
Compare take home pay on the Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota pages using the same salary.
Assumptions and Limits
- Wisconsin income equals salary, with no dependents or age 65 exemptions.
- No Wisconsin credits, such as the itemized deduction credit or school property tax credit.
- Full year resident.
Sources: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, 2026 Form 1-ES instructions (rate schedules, standard deduction, exemptions); IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32; Social Security Administration. Rates for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Wisconsin tax rates in 2026?
3.5%, 4.4%, 5.3% and 7.65%, with indexed brackets for single and joint filers.
What is the Wisconsin standard deduction for 2026?
Up to $13,960 single or $25,840 joint, shrinking as income rises.
What is $65,000 after tax in Wisconsin?
About $52,057.58 a year for a single filer.
Does Milwaukee have a city income tax?
No. Wisconsin has no local income tax.
What is the Wisconsin personal exemption?
$700 for you, your spouse on a joint return and each dependent.
Why does the deduction matter for raises?
In the phase out range a raise also cuts the deduction, so taxable income grows by more than the raise.
How much is $55,000 after tax in Wisconsin?
About $44,549.36 a year for a single filer, after $1,823.14 of Wisconsin tax and the federal lines.