Missouri Paycheck Calculator 2026
Calculate your exact Missouri take-home pay after federal, state, and local taxes.
Federal W-4 adjustments
Enter a salary above to see your Missouri take-home pay.
This calculator provides estimates based on IRS Publication 15-T and official state tax sources. It is not tax, legal, or financial advice. Actual payroll withholding may differ. Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation.
How Missouri Paycheck Taxes Work
Missouri uses a progressive individual income tax system, although the top rate applies at a relatively low income level compared with many other progressive-tax states. A Missouri paycheck generally includes federal income tax withholding, Social Security tax, Medicare tax, Missouri state income tax withholding, and voluntary employee deductions. State withholding is based on taxable wages, pay frequency, and Missouri withholding tables.
Missouri workers should also consider local earnings taxes in specific cities. Kansas City and St. Louis have local earnings taxes that can affect take-home pay for residents and certain nonresidents working in those cities. This means an accurate Missouri paycheck calculator should collect work location and residence location, not just state and salary. Missouri has also made tax changes in recent years, so calculators should validate current year brackets before production use.
- State income tax structure: Progressive brackets
- State income tax rates: Up to about 4.7% for recent tax years
- Local income tax: Kansas City and St. Louis earnings taxes may apply
- Federal withholding and FICA: Still apply
- Important input: Work city can materially affect take-home pay
This information is for general reference. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation.
Official source: Missouri Department of Revenue — Individual Income Tax
What's included in your Missouri paycheck calculation
- Federal income tax — withheld using IRS Pub 15-T 2026 percentage-method tables based on your salary, filing status, and W-4
- Social Security — 6.2% on wages up to the annual wage base
- Medicare — 1.45% on all wages; additional 0.9% above the high-income threshold
- Missouri state income tax — withheld based on official 2026 state withholding tables and your state W-4
- Pre-tax deductions — 401(k), HSA, FSA contributions reduce federal and state taxable income
- Local taxes — supported jurisdictions available in the city dropdown
Source-backed 2026 data — How it's calculated →
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Missouri's income tax rate?
Missouri levies a state income tax. The exact withholding amount depends on your annual salary, filing status, pay frequency, and any state withholding form elections. Use the calculator above to see your specific Missouri take-home pay.
How is my Missouri paycheck calculated?
Your Missouri take-home pay equals gross pay minus federal income tax (IRS Pub 15-T 2026), Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and state income tax withholding. Any pre-tax deductions — like 401(k) contributions or HSA — reduce taxable income before taxes are applied.
Does Missouri have local income taxes?
Some cities and counties in Missouri levy local income taxes in addition to state tax. Select your city in the local tax dropdown in the calculator above to include local taxes in your take-home calculation.
Does a 401(k) reduce my Missouri taxable paycheck?
Yes. Traditional (pre-tax) 401(k) contributions reduce your federal and Missouri state taxable income. If you contribute 10% of a $75,000 salary, your taxable wages drop by $7,500, lowering both federal and state withholding. The calculator's "Refine for accuracy" panel lets you enter your 401(k) percentage and see the exact effect on each paycheck.
Why might my actual Missouri paycheck differ from the estimate?
Employer-specific factors — benefits deductions, employer health insurance premiums, garnishments, supplemental wages, and state W-4 certificate choices — are not modeled in a general calculator. The estimate assumes standard withholding from a W-4 with no special elections. Use it as a close approximation and verify with your employer's payroll department for exact figures.
How can I increase my take-home pay in Missouri?
The most effective strategies are maximizing pre-tax deductions (401(k), HSA, FSA, health insurance premiums paid pre-tax), correctly completing your federal W-4 to avoid over-withholding, and verifying your Missouri state withholding certificate. Over-withholding gives the government an interest-free loan — it is not a financial advantage.
Is this Missouri paycheck calculator free?
Yes. Exact Take Home is completely free, requires no account, and stores no personal data. All calculations run in your browser using source-backed 2026 tax data.