Wisconsin paycheck calculator 2026
Wisconsin withholds income tax using a graduated schedule of four rates (3.54% to 7.65%), applied to annualized wages after a sliding standard deduction and a per-exemption amount from Form WT-4.
Enter pay details
Federal tax on a bonus paid on its own check is a flat 22% (37% above $1M of bonuses in the year). Your W-4 doesn't change it.
Per paycheck. Calculating from gross pay → other amounts
No state income tax on wages here.
More W-4, deductions and employer settings
- Standard deduction $16,100 single, $32,200 married jointly, $24,150 head of household
- Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500 · Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% over $200,000)
- FUTA 0.6% on the first $7,000 · bonus withholding 22%
- 401(k) limit $24,500 ($32,500 at 50+, $35,750 at 60–63)
Paycheck breakdown
Employer taxes (on top of gross pay)
Where the employer's money goes
Saved calculations stay in this browser. Nothing leaves your device.
Clear all saved calculations?
This removes every saved calculation from this browser. It can't be undone.
Wisconsin payroll taxes and rules for 2026
Wisconsin withholds income tax using a graduated schedule of four rates (3.54% to 7.65%), applied to annualized wages after a sliding standard deduction and a per-exemption amount from Form WT-4. There is no state disability or paid-leave payroll tax. Employers pay state unemployment insurance (SUI) on the first $14,000 of each employee's wages.
- Income tax
- 3.54% to 7.65% · Employee form: WT-4, Employee's Wisconsin Withholding Exemption Certificate
- Wisconsin does not accept the federal Form W-4 for state withholding; employees file their own Form WT-4.
- WT-4 recognizes two withholding schedules: Single (also used for 'Married, but withhold at higher Single rate') and Married. There is no separate Head of Household schedule.
- Each exemption claimed on WT-4 is worth $400 against annualized wages; a sliding standard deduction (up to $6,702 single / $9,461 married, phasing to $0 at higher income) is also subtracted before the graduated rates apply.
- Traditional 401(k)/403(b) deferrals and Section 125 cafeteria-plan premiums reduce Wisconsin withholding wages, since Wisconsin wages for withholding follow the federal wage definition under IRC section 3401(a).
- Employer taxes
- State Unemployment Insurance (SUI): 3.05% new employer (2.50% new construction under $500,000 payroll) Taxable wage base $14,000 for 2026. Experience-rated range is 0.00%-12.00% under Rate Schedule D, in effect for 2026.
- Local taxes
- Wisconsin has no local income or payroll withholding tax; income tax withholding is state-only.
- Bonuses
- Wisconsin lets employers add a bonus to the same or an adjacent regular paycheck and withhold on the combined amount, or use published flat percentages (3.54% to 7.65% by estimated annual salary band) reserved specifically for supplemental payments made between regular paychecks. This calculator uses the aggregate method (tax on regular+bonus minus tax on regular) since Wisconsin does not publish one single flat supplemental rate.
- Minimum wage 2026
- $7.25/hour Wisconsin's minimum wage matches the federal minimum and has not changed for 2026.
- Pay frequency
- Employers must pay wages at least monthly, and most employers pay at least semimonthly or biweekly; no single statutory frequency applies to all employers.
- Final paycheck
- By the next regularly scheduled payday, whether the employee quit or was discharged.
- New-hire reporting
- Within 20 days of the employee's first day of work.
- Reciprocity
- Wisconsin has an income-tax reciprocity agreement with Illinois: a resident of one state who works in the other is taxed only by their home state on those wages.
Checked against official sources on October 5, 2026:
Take-home pay in Wisconsin by salary
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | Wisconsin taxes | Take-home / year | Per paycheck | Employer cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $1,577 | $32,743 | $1,259 | $43,529 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $2,765 | $47,625 | $1,832 | $65,059 |
| $80,000 | $8,770 | $6,120 | $3,911 | $61,199 | $2,354 | $86,589 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $4,971 | $74,209 | $2,854 | $108,119 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $7,621 | $106,170 | $4,083 | $161,944 |
Single filer, paid every two weeks, 2026 W-4 with no adjustments, default Wisconsin withholding settings, no 401(k) or benefits, new-employer unemployment rate. Wisconsin taxes include state income tax and employee-paid state programs; local taxes are not included unless the default setting includes them.
How the federal part works, step by step: the 2026 paycheck guide · West Virginia · Wyoming
Wisconsin paycheck questions
Does Wisconsin have a state disability or paid family leave payroll tax?
No. Wisconsin does not have a state disability insurance or paid family/medical leave program funded by a payroll tax in 2026.
What withholding statuses does Form WT-4 support?
Only Single and Married. 'Married, but withhold at higher Single rate' uses the Single withholding schedule even though the employee is married; Wisconsin has no separate Head of Household withholding schedule.
Do 401(k) contributions reduce Wisconsin withholding wages?
Yes. Wisconsin withholding wages follow the federal wage definition (IRC section 3401(a)), so pre-tax 401(k)/403(b) deferrals and Section 125 cafeteria-plan deductions reduce the wages Wisconsin withholding is calculated on, the same as federal withholding.
What is the 2026 Wisconsin SUI wage base?
$14,000 per employee. New non-construction employers pay 3.05% (2.50% for smaller new construction employers); experience-rated employers range from 0.00% to 12.00% under the 2026 rate schedule (Schedule D).
How much is $60,000 a year after taxes in Wisconsin?
About $47,625 a year, or $1,832 every two weeks, for a single filer with no other W-4 adjustments in 2026. Federal income tax is $5,020, Social Security and Medicare $4,590, and Wisconsin taxes and payroll deductions $2,765.
What does a $60,000 employee cost an employer in Wisconsin?
$65,059 a year before benefits: the salary plus the 7.65% FICA match, federal unemployment (FUTA) and Wisconsin unemployment insurance at the new-employer rate of 3.05% on the first $14,000.
Have a question? Write to us — real people answer.
Elevate your efficiency with the powerful yet easy-to-use accounting practice management software.
"Let's create a dream, where the team is happy, clients are well served and profits are fair." — Rain Allikvee, Co-founder of Uku
