When traveling around the United States, the concept of income tax isn’t a concern — though sales tax might be. But if you’re considering moving, it’s important to be aware that your paycheck will be taxed more heavily in certain states. While some states levy little to no income tax on their residents, others collect in excess of 10% in income taxes. Of course, tax law is always open to change, so these percentages remain fluid year over year. It’s also worth noting that most states have a graduated income tax, meaning that instead of a flat statewide tax, people who earn more will be taxed at a higher rate. Using numbers compiled by the Tax Foundation for 2024, let’s examine the top 10 states with the highest income tax.
10. Maine

In Maine, individuals who earn more than $61,600 annually are taxed at a 7.15% rate. This rate also applies to married couples filing together if they collectively earn at least $123,250. The tax rate drops to 6.75% for individuals earning between $26,050 and $61,600, along with couples who earn between $52,100 and $123,250. Maine residents who earn less than those amounts are levied a 5.8% income tax.
9. Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s graduated income tax rate means that residents are taxed as low as 3.5% and as high as 7.65%, with two additional tiers of 4.4% and 5.3% in between. The highest of these tax rates is reserved for individuals earning more than $315,310, or couples filing jointly who make in excess of $420,420. The majority of single-filing Wisconsinites pay a 5.3% income tax, which is levied on those who earn between $28,640 and $315,310.
8. Vermont

Vermont levies an income tax rate as low as 3.35% on residents earning less than $45,400 each year. However, that tax rate jumps up to 8.75% for those who earn at least $229,550 individually, or couples who earn $279,450.
7. Massachusetts

There are two different income tax rates imposed in the Bay State. If you’re a single filer or joint couple earning $1 million of income, you’ll pay a 9% rate each filing season. But any individuals or couples who earn less than $1 million are subject to a lower 5% income tax rate. Of its roughly 7 million residents, there are roughly 16,000 millionaires who live in Massachusetts and get taxed at 9%.
6. Minnesota

There are four income tax tiers in Minnesota, which begin at 5.35% and increase to 9.85%. The highest tier is reserved for anyone with income in excess of $193,240, or joint filers earning a collective minimum of $321,450. The second-highest tier is taxed at a 7.85% rate, and it’s reserved for single filers who make in excess of $104,090 or couples who earn $184,040. Minnesotans who earn less than that will be taxed at either 5.35% or 6.80%.
5. Oregon

The highest earners in Oregon have their paychecks taxed by the state at 9.9%. This upper tax rate applies to any single individual making over $125,000, or any joint filers earning in excess of double that figure. Most people in Oregon will pay an income tax rate of 8.75%, which is still quite lofty compared to rates in the rest of the country — though Oregon is one of only five states with no statewide sales tax. The 8.75% rate applies to anyone earning between $10,750 and $125,000, or couples taking home double those figures. A tax rate of 4.75% applies to the state’s lowest earners.
4. New Jersey

New Jersey has seven different income tax rates for single filers and eight rates for joint filers, which is enough to make your head spin. While the state’s income tax rate is as low as 1.4% for those earning less than $20,000 annually, it jumps all the way up to 10.75% for individuals and couples earning over $1 million. Those who earn more than $500,000 but less than $1 million are still subject to a hefty 8.97% tax rate.
3. New York

There are nine different gradual income tax thresholds in New York state. The highest level is a whopping 10.9%, though this applies only in rare cases where individuals or collective couples earn at least $25 million. Anyone earning over $5 million is levied a 10.3% income tax rate. The percentage drops to 9.65% for those who earn between $1,077,550 and $5,000,000, and goes down to a 4% rate for the lowest-earning individuals in the state.
2. Hawaii

Living in paradise comes at a cost: Any Hawaiian earning $200,000 or more, as well as couples earning in excess of $400,000, are taxed at an 11% rate. The income tax rate drops to 10% if you’re single and earn between $175,000 and $200,000, and 9% for anyone earning between $150,000 and $175,000. Hawaiians with lower earnings, however, will be taxed between 1.4% and 8.25%.
1. California

California is the U.S. state with the highest income tax rate in the nation, reaching as high as 13.3% for individuals who earn at least $1 million. Any married couples filing together are also subject to a 13.3% tax rate if their collective income exceeds $1,396,542. If you earn between $68,350 and $349,137, the California state income tax rate drops to 9.3%. The lowest earners in the Golden State, meanwhile, are taxed between 2% and 8%.
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