Mississippi Paycheck Calculator

How to Use This Mississippi Paycheck Calculator

This Mississippi paycheck calculator estimates your 2026 net take-home pay after federal income tax, Mississippi state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. The state is locked to Mississippi; use the generic paycheck calculator for other states.

Enter your gross salary or hourly wage, filing status, and any pre-tax deductions above (401(k), HSA, health insurance). Results update instantly. For an annual tax summary, see the Mississippi income tax calculator.

How Mississippi State Income Tax Works

Mississippi has a flat 4.0% state income tax for 2026, applied uniformly to all taxable income regardless of income level. Mississippi calculates taxable income in three steps:

1. Start with gross wages (pre-tax 401(k) and Section 125 deductions reduce this first).
2. Subtract the Mississippi standard deduction — $2,300 (single) / $4,600 (MFJ). Note: this is much lower than the federal standard deduction, so more income is subject to MS tax.
3. Subtract the personal exemption — $6,000 (single) / $12,000 (MFJ) plus $1,500 per qualifying dependent.

Step-by-Step Example — $60,000 Single Filer in Mississippi

1. Gross annual pay: $60,000
2. MS taxable income: $60,000 − $2,300 standard deduction − $6,000 personal exemption = $51,700
3. MS income tax: 4.0% × $51,700 ≈ $2,068
4. Federal taxable income: $60,000 − $16,100 = $43,900. Federal tax: ≈ $4,913.
5. FICA: 7.65% × $60,000 = $4,590.
6. Net take-home: ≈ $48,429/year (≈ $1,862 biweekly).

Mississippi's Tax Simplification — From 5% to Flat 4%

Mississippi is in the middle of one of the most significant state income tax reforms in the country. Understanding the trajectory:

• Pre-2022: Mississippi had a three-bracket system: 0% on income under $5,000, 3% on $5,000–$10,000, 4% on $10,000–$15,000, and 5% above $15,000. The top rate was 5%.
• 2022–2023 reform: Mississippi HB 531 eliminated the 0%–$5,000 and 3% brackets, transitioning to a simpler structure.
• 2024: The 4% bracket was eliminated; all income now taxed at 5% in transition.
• 2025–2026 (4.0%): The 5% rate is being cut annually by approximately 0.15 percentage points per year.
• By 2030: The flat rate is scheduled to reach 4%, at which point Mississippi will have one of the lowest flat income tax rates in the South.

FICA Taxes — Social Security and Medicare

FICA is federal and applies on every Mississippi paycheck.

• Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 (2025) or $184,500 (2026). No further withholding once you cross the wage base for the year.
• Medicare: 1.45% on all wages with no cap. Additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on wages above $200,000 single / $250,000 MFJ.
• Employer match: your employer matches Social Security and base Medicare; the Additional Medicare surtax is employee-only.

How to Maximize Your Mississippi Take-Home Pay

• Max your 401(k) — $23,500 in 2026 ($31,000 if age 50+). A $20,000 pre-tax contribution saves roughly $4,400 in federal tax + $800 in MS state tax (at the4.0% rate) = $5,200 in total annual tax savings.
• Contribute to an HSA — $4,300 (self-only) or $8,550 (family). Reduces both federal and Mississippi taxable income.
• MS has a generous personal exemption — ensure your employer has Mississippi withholding form (89-350) updated to reflect the correct number of exemptions for dependents, which reduces per-paycheck withholding.
• Retirement income benefit: Mississippi does not tax Social Security benefits, public retirement income, or qualified private pension income. This makes MS one of the most retiree-friendly states in the South.
• File MS-W4 accurately— Mississippi's state withholding form. As the MS rate declines each year, ensure your employer has updated withholding tables to avoid over-withholding.

Tax Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. It is not tax advice. Mississippi's flat income tax rate is scheduled to decline annually through 2030 — verify the current rate with the Mississippi Department of Revenue before filing. Federal brackets, FICA wage bases, and standard deduction amounts also change each year. Consult a qualified Mississippi-licensed CPA or tax professional for guidance specific to your situation.