Updated June 15, 2026 · 5 min read
Nine U.S. states have no state income tax on wages in 2026: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. If you live in one of them, your paycheck is reduced only by federal income tax and FICA (Social Security and Medicare) — there's no state income tax line at all.
All nine tax wage income at 0%. A couple still tax certain non-wage income, noted below. Click any state for a calculator pre-set to its rules.
| State | Notes |
|---|---|
| Alaska | No state income tax on wages — only federal tax and FICA are withheld. |
| Florida | No state income tax on wages — only federal tax and FICA are withheld. |
| Nevada | No state income tax on wages — only federal tax and FICA are withheld. |
| New Hampshire | No tax on wages; New Hampshire's tax on interest & dividends has been fully phased out. |
| South Dakota | No state income tax on wages — only federal tax and FICA are withheld. |
| Tennessee | No state income tax on wages — only federal tax and FICA are withheld. |
| Texas | No state income tax on wages — only federal tax and FICA are withheld. |
| Washington | No tax on wages, but Washington taxes long-term capital gains over a threshold. |
| Wyoming | No state income tax on wages — only federal tax and FICA are withheld. |
State income tax is usually the third-biggest bite out of a paycheck, after federal income tax and FICA. Removing it can meaningfully raise your take-home pay. On a $60,000 salary, skipping a 5% state income tax saves roughly $3,000 a year.
But "no income tax" doesn't mean "no taxes." These states still fund themselves — often through higher sales tax, property tax, or industry-specific taxes. Washington, for example, has no wage income tax but does tax high long-term capital gains.
Beyond the no-tax nine, several states keep rates low with a single flat rate. Notable low-flat-rate states for 2026 include Arizona (2.5%), North Dakota, Indiana, and Pennsylvania (3.07%). Flat-tax states are simple: everyone pays the same percentage regardless of income.
If you're comparing offers in different states, the paycheck calculator lets you switch states and instantly see the take-home difference.
Income tax is only one piece. Before relocating to save on taxes, weigh the full picture:
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming have no state income tax on wages in 2026.
Yes. No-income-tax states only waive state income tax. You still owe federal income tax and FICA (6.2% Social Security up to $184,500 plus 1.45% Medicare) on your wages no matter where you live.
It depends on your situation. Wyoming and Alaska often rank as the lowest total tax burden because they pair no income tax with relatively low sales and property taxes, but the cheapest state for you depends on your income, spending, and home value.