# Missouri paycheck calculator (2026)

Missouri W-2 employees in St. Louis or Kansas City comparing graduated state tax to Kansas or Illinois.

Missouri uses a graduated state income tax with a top rate of 4.7% in 2026. Lower slices of taxable income are taxed at the published lower brackets; only income above each threshold is taxed at the higher rate.

This is a W-2 style withholding approximation, not a full Missouri Form resident return. We annualize your pay, subtract pretax 401(k) and section 125 health premiums from federal wages (health premiums also reduce FICA wages), apply the 2026 IRS standard deduction, then apply Missouri’s published rate structure. We do not model local city or county income taxes, itemized deductions, or most credits.

Use the calculator to compare pay frequencies (hourly through annual), pretax 401(k) as a percent or a dollar amount per paycheck, and optional extra federal withholding. Last reviewed against IRS, SSA, and Tax Foundation 2026 publications on August 23, 2026.

Figures are for tax year 2026. If your employer uses a different state withholding method (percentage method vs. wage-bracket tables), your live paycheck can differ by a few dollars even when annual liability is similar.

## Tax model notes

- Kind: progressive
- (none)


## Sample estimate ($80,000 single, no 401(k))

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $8,770.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $2,822.67
- Net / take-home: $62,287.33 (effective tax 22.1%)
- Per paycheck net: $62,287.33 (1 periods)

Label: engine estimate, not a pay stub.

## FAQ

### Does Missouri have a state income tax on wages?

Yes. Missouri has a graduated state income tax with a top rate of 4.7% on taxable wage income in 2026. Local income taxes, if any, are not included in this estimate.

### What Missouri income tax rate does this calculator use for 2026?

The official graduated brackets published for 2026 (Tax Foundation compilation of state statutes), with a top marginal rate of 4.7%.

### Is this my actual take-home pay?

No. It is an estimate of typical W-2 withholding. It omits local taxes (except a note on New York City), most credits (including the federal Child Tax Credit), unemployment insurance, wage-garnishment, and employer-specific benefits. Use it to plan, not to file.

### Does a 401(k) contribution reduce Social Security tax?

Usually no. Traditional 401(k) deferrals reduce federal (and often state) taxable wages, but they remain subject to Social Security and Medicare. Pre-tax health insurance premiums under a cafeteria plan generally reduce FICA wages as well.

## Related

- [Kansas](https://takehomecash.com/kansas-paycheck-calculator/index.md)
- [Illinois](https://takehomecash.com/illinois-paycheck-calculator/index.md)
- [Arkansas](https://takehomecash.com/arkansas-paycheck-calculator/index.md)
- [Iowa](https://takehomecash.com/iowa-paycheck-calculator/index.md)