States With No Income Tax
Nine U.S. states have no income tax on wages — so your paycheck is only reduced by federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Here they are, and what that really means for your take-home pay.
The 9 states with no income tax in 2026
Tap any state to calculate your exact take-home pay there.
What “no income tax” really means
A state with no income tax simply doesn’t tax your wages — but it does not make you tax-free. You still pay federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare on every paycheck no matter where you live, and these states still collect sales tax, property tax, and various fees. The upside is real, though: in the other 41 states, state income tax takes another 3% to 13% of your pay, so living in a no-tax state keeps that slice in your pocket.
Do no-income-tax states actually save you money?
Not automatically. States with no income tax have to raise revenue some other way, so the savings often show up as higher costs elsewhere. Texas has some of the highest property taxes in the country; Washington, Nevada, and Tennessee lean on high sales taxes. For a high earner who rents, no income tax can be a big win. For a homeowner on a modest salary, a high property-tax bill can eat most of the difference. The only way to know is to run your own numbers — which is exactly what the calculators above do.
A note on New Hampshire, Washington, and Tennessee
These three are worth a footnote. New Hampshire never taxed wages and fully repealed its old tax on interest and dividends as of 2025, so it now has no income tax of any kind. Tennessee did the same when it phased out its Hall tax in 2021. Washington has no wage income tax either, though it added a 7% tax on very large long-term capital gains that only affects high earners — ordinary paychecks are untouched.
States with the lowest income tax
If a no-tax state isn’t in the cards, several states keep income tax very low with flat rates in the 2.5%–3% range — the next-best thing for your take-home pay:
Frequently asked questions
Which states have no income tax?
Nine states have no tax on wage income: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. In those states your paycheck is only reduced by federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare.
Does no state income tax mean no taxes at all?
No. You still pay federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare on every paycheck, and these states still collect sales tax, property tax, and other fees. "No income tax" only means the state does not tax your wages.
Is it cheaper to live in a state with no income tax?
Not always. States with no income tax usually make up the revenue elsewhere — Texas has some of the highest property taxes, and Washington and Nevada lean on high sales taxes. Whether you come out ahead depends on your income, spending, and housing costs.
What about New Hampshire and Washington?
New Hampshire never taxed wages and fully repealed its tax on interest and dividends as of 2025, so it now has no income tax of any kind. Washington has no wage income tax either, though it does levy a 7% tax on very large long-term capital gains that affects only high earners.
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