New York Tax Guide

⚠️ Important Disclaimer

This guide is for general informational purposes only and provides simplified overviews and estimates. It does not provide tax, legal, payroll, accounting, or financial advice.

Tax rules can change, and actual paycheck amounts may vary based on your employer, benefit elections, filing status, local taxes, deductions, credits, garnishments, and withholding elections. This guide does not cover every possible tax scenario.

For personalized tax advice, please consult a qualified tax professional.

For official guidance, review materials from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Last reviewed: June 2026

New York at a Glance

New York has a progressive income tax with nine brackets ranging from 4% to 10.9%. New York City residents also pay a separate city income tax (3.078%–3.876%) on top of the state rate, making the combined top rate one of the highest in the nation.

The standard deduction is $8,000 (single) / $16,050 (MFJ). New York does not tax Social Security benefits and offers a $20,000 pension exclusion for filers age 59½ and older.

Key Tax Facts for New York

State Income Tax

4% – 10.9%

Federal Brackets

10% – 37%

Social Security

6.2%

Medicare

1.45%

SS Wage Base

$184,500

Standard Deduction

$8,000 / $16,050

New York Income Tax Brackets (2026)

Below are the New York state income tax brackets. Rates apply to taxable income within each range — you only pay the higher rate on the portion of income that falls in that bracket.

Single / Married Filing Separately

Taxable Income	Tax Rate
$0 – $8,499	4.00%
$8,500 – $11,699	4.50%
$11,700 – $13,899	5.25%
$13,900 – $80,649	5.50%
$80,650 – $215,399	6.00%
$215,400 – $1,077,549	6.85%
$1,077,550 – $4,999,999	9.65%
$5,000,000 – $24,999,999	10.30%
Over $25,000,000	10.90%

Married Filing Jointly

Taxable Income	Tax Rate
$0 – $17,149	4.00%
$17,150 – $23,599	4.50%
$23,600 – $27,899	5.25%
$27,900 – $161,549	5.50%
$161,550 – $323,199	6.00%
$323,200 – $2,155,349	6.85%
$2,155,350 – $4,999,999	9.65%
$5,000,000 – $24,999,999	10.30%
Over $25,000,000	10.90%

How Your New York Paycheck Is Calculated

Every paycheck goes through the same basic pipeline from gross pay to the net amount that hits your bank account:

Gross Pay — Your total earnings for the pay period. For hourly workers this is (hours × rate) plus any overtime or double-time premiums. For salaried employees it’s your annual salary divided by the number of pay periods.
Pre-Tax Deductions — Contributions to 401(k), 403(b), HSA, or FSA are subtracted before income taxes are calculated. These lower your taxable wages but Social Security and Medicare still apply to the full gross in most cases.
Federal Income Tax — Withheld using the IRS Publication 15-T percentage method based on your W-4 filing status, credits, and additional withholding elections. For 2026, rates range from 10% to 37%.
State Income Tax — New York withholds state income tax at rates of 4% – 10.9% based on your annualized income and filing status. The standard deduction is $8,000 (single) / $16,050 (MFJ).
FICA Taxes — Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $184,500) and Medicare (1.45% on all wages). If your year-to-date earnings exceed the Social Security wage base, that portion stops being withheld.
Net Pay (Take-Home) — What’s left after all taxes and deductions. This is the amount deposited into your account each pay period.

Good to Know

Review your W-4 periodically. If you consistently receive a large refund, you may be over-withholding. Consider reviewing your W-4 Step 3 credits or Step 4(b) deductions to better align your withholding with your actual tax liability. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help.
Benefits of contributing to a 401(k) or 403(b). Pre-tax retirement contributions can reduce your federal and state taxable income for the year. Even a modest percentage — say 3% to 6% — may noticeably lower your tax withholding while building long-term savings. Consult your plan administrator or a financial advisor for guidance.
Benefits of an HSA if you’re eligible. Health Savings Accounts offer a rare triple tax advantage — contributions lower your taxable income now, the balance grows tax-free, and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free. If you’re enrolled in a qualifying high-deductible health plan, an HSA is one of the most tax-efficient savings tools available.
New York tax note. New York has nine income tax brackets with rates from 4% to 10.9%, one of the highest top rates in the nation.
New York tax note. New York City residents also pay a separate NYC income tax (3.078% to 3.876%), which is on top of the state rate. Yonkers residents pay a Yonkers surcharge.
New York tax note. New York does not tax Social Security benefits at the state level and offers a $20,000 pension/annuity exclusion for filers age 59½ and older.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is New York’s top income tax rate?

New York’s top state rate is 10.9%, which applies to taxable income over $25,000,000. New York City residents pay an additional 3.078%–3.876% city income tax.

Does New York have a city income tax?

New York City levies its own income tax with rates from 3.078% to 3.876% on top of the state rate. Yonkers also has a surcharge. Most other NY cities do not have local income taxes.

Does New York tax Social Security?

No. New York does not tax Social Security benefits at the state level. Filers 59½+ may also exclude up to $20,000 of pension/annuity income.

Sources

The information in this guide is based on the following official and publicly available sources. Always verify current rates and rules before making financial decisions.