Tax & Paycheck Calculators
Ohio Paycheck Tax Calculator
Ohio's state tax is now a simple flat rate — but over 600 Ohio cities and villages levy their own separate municipal income tax, and that's usually the bigger number.
Calculate your Ohio take-home pay
State tax is built in. Enter your city's rate for a complete picture.
Doesn't include Ohio's school district income tax (SDIT), a separate, less common third layer that applies in some school districts. Confirm your exact municipal rate with the Ohio Department of Taxation's "The Finder" tool.
Ohio's state tax is now genuinely simple
After a multi-year phase-down, Ohio's state income tax simplified to a flat 2.75% on taxable nonbusiness income above a $26,050 exemption threshold for 2026 — income below that amount owes no state tax at all. This completes a stepdown that started with a nine-bracket system a few years ago (top rate 5.925% as recently as a few years back) and moved through 3.5%, then 3.125%, before landing at 2.75%.
The part that actually varies: municipal tax
| City | Municipal rate |
|---|---|
| Columbus | 2.5% |
| Cleveland | 2.5% |
| Akron | 2.5% |
| Dayton | 2.5% |
| Toledo | 2.25% |
| Cincinnati | 1.8% |
Work city vs. home city
Ohio generally requires municipal income tax to be paid to the city where you work. If you live in a different municipality that also levies its own tax, most home cities offer a credit (often 100%, though sometimes capped) for taxes already paid to your work city — meaning you usually don't pay both cities' full rates on the same income, but the mechanics depend on your specific home and work municipalities.
A third layer: school district income tax
Roughly 200 Ohio school districts levy their own separate income tax (SDIT) on residents, typically 0.5% to 2%, in addition to both state and municipal tax. This isn't universal — it depends entirely on your specific school district — but it's worth checking if you're not sure whether yours has one.
What Ohio doesn't tax
Social Security benefits are fully exempt from Ohio state income tax, and Ohio offers deductions for military and certain public pension income as well.
Ohio's 2026 flat state rate (2.75% above the $26,050 threshold) verified against a detailed source citing House Bill 96 (the FY2026-27 state budget) and cross-checked with a worked example matching to the dollar. Municipal rate examples verified against multiple independent 2026 Ohio tax guides. Confirm your specific city and school district rates with the Ohio Department of Taxation before relying on this for a paycheck decision.
Frequently asked questions
Before you estimate your Ohio paycheck.
What is Ohio's state income tax rate for 2026?
A flat 2.75% on taxable income above a $26,050 exemption threshold — income below that amount owes no state tax. This follows a multi-year simplification from a previous nine-bracket system.
Why is my Ohio paycheck's local tax bigger than the state tax?
Because over 600 Ohio cities and villages levy their own municipal income tax, typically 1-2.5%, which often exceeds the flat 2.75% state rate once combined with the $26,050 exemption reducing the state tax base.
Do I pay municipal tax where I live or where I work?
Generally where you work. If you live in a different city that also has its own income tax, your home city typically offers a credit for tax already paid to your work city, though the exact terms vary by municipality.
What is Ohio's school district income tax?
A separate tax levied by roughly 200 (not all) Ohio school districts on residents, typically 0.5% to 2%, in addition to state and municipal tax. It depends entirely on which school district you live in.
Does Ohio tax Social Security?
No. Social Security benefits are fully exempt from Ohio state income tax.