Missouri Paycheck Calculator

How to Use This Missouri Paycheck Calculator

This Missouri paycheck calculator estimates your 2026 net take-home pay after federal income tax, Missouri state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. If you work in Kansas City or St. Louis City, select the appropriate locality in the Locality dropdown to include the 1% local earnings tax in your estimate. Workers outside those two cities select no locality.

Enter your gross salary or hourly wage, pay frequency, filing status, and any pre-tax deductions. Results update instantly. For a full annual tax picture, use the Missouri income tax calculator.

How Missouri State Income Tax Works in 2026

Missouri uses a progressive income tax with eight brackets for 2026, topping out at 4.7% — reduced from 4.8% in 2025 as Missouri phases down its income tax under Senate Bill 3 (2022). The top rate is scheduled to continue declining toward 4.5% in future years, subject to revenue triggers.

Missouri's bracket thresholds are narrow — all eight brackets apply to the first $9,436 of Missouri taxable income. Income above that is taxed at the flat top rate of 4.7%. This means most working Missouri residents pay a nearly flat effective rate close to 4.7% on most of their income above the standard deduction.

Missouri uses the federal standard deduction — $14,600 for single filers and $29,200 for married filing jointly in 2026. This is one of the most generous deductions among income-taxing states. A single earner at $60,000 starts Missouri taxable income at just $45,400 after the deduction, with the top rate applying to the bulk of that amount.

Kansas City and St. Louis Earnings Tax

Two Missouri cities levy a 1% earnings tax on wages, making them unique among Missouri municipalities:

Kansas City Earnings Tax

Kansas City, Missouri imposes a 1% earnings tax on wages earned within the city. The tax applies to both residents of Kansas City and non-residents who earn wages in Kansas City. A commuter who lives in suburban Johnson County, Kansas but works in Kansas City, Missouri still owes the 1% Missouri earnings tax on their wages. Kansas City, Kansas (WYCO) is a separate city across the state line and does not impose this tax.

St. Louis City Earnings Tax

St. Louis City (not St. Louis County) imposes a 1% earnings tax on wages earned within the city limits. The City of St. Louis is a separate jurisdiction from St. Louis County — workers in Clayton, Kirkwood, Chesterfield, or other St. Louis County municipalities are not subject to this tax. Only wages earned within the St. Louis City boundaries are taxed.

Outside Kansas City and St. Louis City, no Missouri municipality levies a local earnings or income tax. Workers in Springfield, Columbia, Jefferson City, and all suburban areas pay only Missouri state income tax. To compare withholding across other states, try our paycheck calculator with the state selector.

FICA Taxes — Social Security and Medicare

FICA is federal and applies to every Missouri 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.

Step-by-Step Example — $75,000 Kansas City Single Filer (2026)

1. Gross annual pay: $75,000
2. Federal taxable income: $75,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $58,900. Federal income tax: ~$8,800.
3. Missouri taxable income: $75,000 − $14,600 standard deduction = $60,400. Missouri tax on $60,400 (applying all 8 brackets): 0% × $1,348 + 2% × $1,348 + 2.5% × $1,348 + 3% × $1,348 + 3.5% × $1,348 + 4% × $1,348 + 4.5% × $1,348 + 4.7% × $50,964 = approximately $2,740.
4. Kansas City earnings tax: 1% × $75,000 = $750.
5. FICA: 7.65% × $75,000 = $5,738.
6. Net take-home: $75,000 − $8,800 − $2,740 − $750 − $5,738 = ~$56,972/year (~$2,191 biweekly).

How to Maximize Your Missouri Take-Home Pay

• Max your 401(k) — the 2026 limit is $23,500 ($31,000 age 50+). Pre-tax contributions reduce Missouri AGI. A $15,000 contribution for a Kansas City resident saves roughly $705 in MO state tax + $150 in city earnings tax + federal savings.
• Contribute to an HSA — $4,300 individual / $8,550 family in 2026. Reduces Missouri taxable income and avoids FICA when contributed through payroll.
• Update your MO W-4 — Missouri uses a state withholding certificate. Ensure your allowances accurately reflect your filing status and deductions to prevent over- or under-withholding.
• Missouri Property Tax Credit — Missouri residents over age 65 or with disabilities may qualify for the Missouri Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker Credit), which reduces Missouri income tax by up to $1,100 for homeowners and $750 for renters.
• Use a Dependent Care FSA — up to $5,000 per household reduces Missouri and federal taxable income simultaneously.

Tax Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. It is not tax advice. Missouri state brackets and top rate change annually under SB 3 rate-reduction triggers. Kansas City and St. Louis earnings tax rules may change. Federal rules change. Consult a qualified Missouri-licensed CPA or tax professional for your specific situation.