MISSOURI PAYCHECK CALCULATOR
Our Missouri Paycheck Calculator 2026 gives Show Me State workers a precise, verified breakdown of every paycheck after all mandatory deductions. Missouri uses eight progressive income tax brackets ranging from 0% to 4.7%, with the top rate kicking in at just $9,436 in Missouri taxable income — meaning most full-time workers reach the 4.7% bracket on the majority of their earnings. The standard deduction for 2026 is $16,100 for Single filers, matching the federal standard deduction, and is subtracted from gross wages before the brackets apply.
Two key features make Missouri paychecks unique compared to other Midwest states. First, workers in Kansas City and St. Louis face a 1% local earnings tax on top of the state rate — the only local income taxes levied anywhere in Missouri. Second, Missouri is one of the few states that allows workers to deduct a portion of their federal income taxes paid on their Missouri return (income-dependent, up to 35% of federal tax paid) — a deduction that reduces the effective state tax for moderate earners. For simplicity, the calculator below computes standard withholding as shown on the official Missouri DOR 2026 Withholding Formula.
Compare Missouri against Midwest and Great Plains neighbors at our USA Paycheck Calculator hub, or jump directly to Kansas, Illinois, Iowa, or Arkansas.
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Kansas City and St. Louis are the only Missouri cities with a local earnings tax.COMPARE OTHER STATE PAYCHECK CALCULATORS
EVERY DEDUCTION ON A MISSOURI PAYCHECK IN 2026
Missouri paychecks have four universal deductions — and a fifth one for workers in the state's two largest cities. No state disability insurance, no paid family leave withholding, and no county income taxes exist in Missouri. The deduction lineup depends entirely on where you work:
- Federal Income Tax — Progressive 10%–37% brackets applied after the 2026 federal standard deduction ($16,100 Single / $32,200 MFJ / $24,150 HOH).
- Social Security — 6.2% of gross wages up to the $176,100 wage base. Wages above this are exempt for the rest of the calendar year.
- Medicare — 1.45% on all wages with no cap. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to wages above $200,000.
- Missouri State Income Tax — Eight progressive brackets from 0% to 4.7%, applied after the MO standard deduction ($16,100 Single / $32,200 MFJ-spouse doesn't work / $24,150 HOH).
- Local Earnings Tax (Kansas City and St. Louis only) — 1% of all wages earned in or attributed to Kansas City or St. Louis. Workers outside both cities pay no local earnings tax.
MISSOURI INCOME TAX BRACKETS 2026 — 8-BRACKET SCHEDULE
Missouri's eight-bracket structure is confirmed by the official 2026 Missouri DOR Withholding Tax Formula. The same bracket thresholds apply to all filing statuses — only the standard deduction changes by status. All brackets apply to Missouri taxable income (gross wages minus the MO standard deduction):
| Missouri Taxable Income (Annual) | Rate | Tax on This Tier |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $1,348 | 0% | $0 |
| $1,349 – $2,696 | 2.0% | Up to $26.96 |
| $2,697 – $4,044 | 2.5% | Up to $33.70 |
| $4,045 – $5,392 | 3.0% | Up to $40.44 |
| $5,393 – $6,740 | 3.5% | Up to $47.18 |
| $6,741 – $8,088 | 4.0% | Up to $53.92 |
| $8,089 – $9,436 | 4.5% | Up to $60.66 |
| Above $9,436 | 4.7% | 4.7¢ per dollar above $9,436 |
Because the top bracket begins at just $9,436 of Missouri taxable income, most full-time workers earning more than roughly $25,000 in gross wages reach the 4.7% rate on the bulk of their income. The lower brackets provide only a small savings on the first $9,436 in MO taxable income. The cumulative tax through the top of all seven lower brackets totals just $263 before the 4.7% rate takes over.
Example — Single, $70,000 gross wages:
MO Taxable = $70,000 − $16,100 (std ded) = $53,900
Through all lower brackets (first $9,436) = $263.00
Remaining $44,464 × 4.7% = $2,089.81
Total MO State Tax = $2,352.81
MISSOURI STANDARD DEDUCTION 2026
Missouri's standard deduction is tied to the federal standard deduction and updated annually in step with it. For 2026, Missouri uses the same amounts as the federal return:
| Filing Status | 2026 MO Standard Deduction | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $16,100 | Also applies to Married Filing Separate |
| Married – Spouse Works | $16,100 | Each spouse uses single-equivalent deduction |
| Married – Spouse Does Not Work | $32,200 | Full MFJ deduction; indicated on Form MO W-4 |
| Head of Household | $24,150 | – |
Missouri also provides an additional standard deduction for taxpayers who are age 65 or older or blind: $1,600 extra for MFJ / MFS / qualifying widow(er) filers, and $2,000 extra for Single and Head of Household filers. These add-ons further reduce MO taxable income for qualifying retirees.
KANSAS CITY AND ST. LOUIS LOCAL EARNINGS TAX
Missouri is unusual among Midwest states in permitting two of its cities to levy local earnings taxes. Both Kansas City and St. Louis charge 1% on wages under the following rules:
| Who Pays | Kansas City (1%) | St. Louis (1%) |
|---|---|---|
| City resident who works in the city | ✅ 1% on all wages | ✅ 1% on all wages |
| City resident who works outside the city | ✅ 1% on all wages | ✅ 1% on all wages |
| Non-resident who works in the city | ✅ 1% on wages earned in city | ✅ 1% on wages earned in city |
| Non-resident who works outside the city | ❌ No tax owed | ❌ No tax owed |
A worker who lives in suburban St. Charles (outside both cities) and commutes to a job in Kansas City owes 1% to Kansas City on wages earned there. A worker who lives in Kansas City but telecommutes for an employer headquartered elsewhere still owes the 1% Kansas City earnings tax as a resident. Workers whose homes and offices are both outside the Kansas City and St. Louis city limits owe no local earnings tax anywhere in Missouri.
RETIREMENT INCOME TREATMENT IN MISSOURI 2026
| Income Type | Missouri State Tax Treatment |
|---|---|
| Social Security benefits | Fully exempt — no Missouri tax regardless of amount |
| Military pension | Fully exempt |
| Public pension (state/local government) | Exempt up to the maximum annual Social Security benefit amount |
| Private pension / IRA / 401(k) | Exempt up to $6,000 per taxpayer (income limits apply) |
| Capital gains | 100% exempt — effective January 1, 2025 (MO §143.121) |
| Wages and salaries | Standard 0%–4.7% brackets apply |
MISSOURI VS MIDWEST NEIGHBORS — $70,000 TAKE-HOME
| State | Tax Structure (2026) | State Tax on $70k (Single) | Est. Annual Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri (no local tax) | Progressive 0%–4.7% | ~$2,353 | ~$55,478 |
| Missouri (Kansas City/St. Louis) | Progressive 0%–4.7% + 1% local | ~$3,053 | ~$54,778 |
| Kansas | Progressive up to 5.7% | ~$3,100 | ~$54,773 |
| Iowa | Flat 3.8% | ~$2,320 | ~$55,553 |
| Illinois | Flat 4.95% | ~$3,195 | ~$54,678 |
| Nebraska | Flat 4.55% | ~$2,606 | ~$55,267 |
| Arkansas | Progressive up to 3.9% | ~$2,150 | ~$55,723 |
| Tennessee | No state income tax | $0 | ~$57,873 |
| Mississippi | 0% / 4% two-tier | ~$2,068 | ~$55,805 |
2026 FEDERAL TAX BRACKETS — SINGLE FILERS
| Federal Taxable Income (Single) | Federal Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $11,925 | 10% |
| $11,926 – $48,475 | 12% |
| $48,476 – $103,350 | 22% |
| $103,351 – $197,300 | 24% |
| $197,301 – $250,525 | 32% |
| $250,526 – $626,350 | 35% |
| Above $626,350 | 37% |
MISSOURI PAYCHECK CALCULATOR — FAQs
What are Missouri's income tax brackets for 2026?
Missouri uses 8 progressive brackets in 2026: 0% on MO taxable income up to $1,348; then 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, and 4.5% on successive $1,348 tiers; and 4.7% on all MO taxable income above $9,436. These brackets are confirmed by the Missouri DOR 2026 Withholding Tax Formula PDF and apply to all filing statuses after the MO standard deduction is subtracted from gross wages.
What is Missouri's standard deduction for 2026?
Missouri's standard deduction is $16,100 for Single filers and Married-Spouse Works, $32,200 for Married-Spouse Doesn't Work, and $24,150 for Head of Household — identical to the 2026 federal standard deduction, as Missouri ties its deduction to the federal amount. An extra $1,600 (MFJ) or $2,000 (Single/HOH) applies for taxpayers age 65+ or blind.
Does Missouri have any local income taxes?
Yes — but only in two cities. Kansas City and St. Louis each levy a 1% earnings tax on wages earned within city limits and on wages of city residents regardless of where they work. All other Missouri cities, counties, and municipalities have no local income tax. If you live and work outside both Kansas City and St. Louis, you owe no local earnings tax.
Are Social Security and capital gains taxable in Missouri?
Social Security benefits are fully exempt from Missouri state income tax for all residents, regardless of income level. Capital gains are also 100% exempt from Missouri income tax starting January 1, 2025, under MO §143.121. Military pensions are fully exempt. Private pensions and IRA distributions are exempt up to $6,000 per taxpayer (income limits apply).
How much will I take home on a $70,000 salary in Missouri?
Filing Single, no local tax: MO taxable income is $53,900 ($70k − $16,100 std ded). State tax is approximately $2,353 (lower brackets total $263 + remaining $44,464 at 4.7% = $2,089.81). Combined with ~$6,772 federal tax and ~$5,355 FICA, estimated annual take-home is ~$55,478 (~$4,623/month). Add a Kansas City or St. Louis local tax of $700 to get ~$54,778/year.
Run your Missouri estimate again anytime: Missouri Paycheck Calculator 2026