Wisconsin Income Tax Calculator 2026 — 4 Brackets up to 7.65%

Calculate your 2026 Wisconsin state income tax. Four brackets 3.50%–7.65% with phasing standard deduction. See WI vs Minnesota tax comparison.

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= $6,250 / month
Common salaries:
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WI State Income Tax
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WI Standard Deduction
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Federal Income Tax
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WI Effective Rate
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WI Marginal Rate
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After All Taxes

Wisconsin Tax Bracket Breakdown

BracketRateIncome in BracketTax

Tax Computation Summary

How to Use This Wisconsin Tax Calculator

Enter your annual gross income and select your filing status. Wisconsin's standard deduction phases out at higher incomes — the calculator handles this automatically. If you itemize, switch to "Itemized Deductions" and enter your total itemized deductions; Wisconsin provides a 5% credit (not a deduction) for itemizers.

The Formula

WI Std Deduction (single): $12,760, phases out above $36,294 at $1 per $4 over threshold
WI Taxable = Gross Income − WI Standard Deduction
Tax: 3.50% ($0–$14,320) + 4.40% ($14,320–$28,640) + 5.30% ($28,640–$315,310) + 7.65% (above)
Itemized Credit = Itemized Deductions × 5% (subtracted from tax, not income)

Example

Tom, Single, $85,000, standard deduction, 2026:
WI std deduction: $12,760 − ($85,000 − $36,294) / 4 = $12,760 − $12,177 = $583
WI taxable income: $85,000 − $583 = $84,417
Tax: $14,320×3.5% + $14,320×4.4% + ($84,417−$28,640)×5.3%
= $501 + $630 + $2,956 = $4,087 | Effective rate: 4.81%

Wisconsin's Phasing Standard Deduction

Wisconsin's standard deduction is unique: it starts at $12,760 for single filers but reduces by $1 for every $4 of income above $36,294. At around $87,000 of income, a single filer has no standard deduction left, effectively paying tax on the full income minus any other Wisconsin adjustments. This phase-out makes Wisconsin's effective rate increase more steeply than the bracket rates suggest.

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Wisconsin vs Minnesota Tax Comparison

Side-by-side WI and MN income tax comparison at your income level

Wisconsin vs Minnesota income tax comparison at your current income. Both use your current filing status selection.

Income LevelWI TaxWI Eff. RateMN TaxMN Eff. RateDifference (WI vs MN)

Minnesota 2026 brackets: 5.35% / 6.80% / 7.85% / 9.85%. Single std deduction $14,575.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Wisconsin's income tax brackets for 2026?
Wisconsin uses four tax brackets for 2026: 3.50% on the first $14,320, 4.40% on $14,320–$28,640, 5.30% on $28,640–$315,310, and 7.65% on income above $315,310. These are for single filers; married filing jointly brackets are roughly doubled. Wisconsin's standard deduction phases out at higher incomes.
How does Wisconsin's standard deduction work?
Wisconsin's standard deduction starts at $12,760 for single filers (2026) but phases out at higher incomes. The phase-out begins at $36,294 for single filers and reduces the deduction by $1 for every $4 of income above that threshold. At approximately $87,000 for a single filer, the standard deduction is eliminated entirely. This is unlike most states where the standard deduction is a fixed amount.
Does Wisconsin have an itemized deduction credit?
Yes. If you itemize on your Wisconsin return (using Wisconsin itemized deductions), you receive a credit equal to 5% of your Wisconsin itemized deductions. This is unusual — instead of deducting the itemized amount from income, Wisconsin gives you a tax credit. This means itemizing only benefits you if your itemized deductions × 5% exceeds the tax savings from the standard deduction.
How does Wisconsin compare to Minnesota for income taxes?
Minnesota generally has higher income taxes than Wisconsin at most income levels. Minnesota's top rate is 9.85% vs Wisconsin's 7.65%. For middle incomes ($50,000–$150,000), Minnesota's 6.80%–7.85% bracket rates compare to Wisconsin's 5.30%. However, Wisconsin's 7.65% top bracket kicks in at $315,310 vs Minnesota's 9.85% starting at $183,340 (single), so high earners may pay more in Minnesota.
What income is exempt from Wisconsin state tax?
Wisconsin exempts certain retirement income: Social Security is partially or fully exempt depending on income, military pensions are fully exempt, and there is a $5,000 capital gain exclusion for qualifying Wisconsin business assets. Interest from US government obligations is exempt. Wisconsin does not offer a general retirement income deduction like some states.