How to use the Ohio paycheck calculator
- Enter your pay. Choose Salary or Hourly, type the amount, and pick how often you are paid.
- Copy your Form W-4. Select your filing status and fill in Steps 2, 3 and 4 the way they are on the federal form your employer has.
- Copy your Form IT 4. Enter the exemptions on line 4 of your Form IT 4 and any extra amount from line 5. Then pick the city where you work and, if you live in a taxing school district, enter its rate.
What is the Ohio paycheck calculator?
The Ohio paycheck calculator is a tool that turns gross pay into take-home pay for someone who works in Ohio. Ohio taxes wages at 2.75% on income over $26,050 in 2026, and most Ohio cities add their own income tax on wages earned there. Some school districts tax residents' income as well, so an Ohio paycheck can have three income tax lines.
The federal lines use the 2026 method in IRS Publication 15-T. The Ohio line follows the Ohio Department of Taxation's percentage method effective 1 August 2026, step by step, and the working is shown under the result. To see how Ohio compares with other states, see income tax by state.
Features
- Ohio income tax withholding with the Ohio Department of Taxation's percentage method effective 1 August 2026
- Every line of Form IT 4, the Ohio withholding form
- City income tax for Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo and Akron, or any rate you enter
- School district income tax at your district's rate
- Salary and hourly pay, with overtime hours at a multiplier you set
- Weekly, biweekly, twice-a-month and monthly pay periods
- Federal income tax from the 2026 IRS percentage method tables and every step of Form W-4
- Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base, Medicare and Additional Medicare Tax
- The federal and the state working shown step by step
- A PDF report of your inputs and every result line, to save or share on WhatsApp
Ohio paycheck taxes in 2026
| Tax or deduction | Rate | Set by |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | 0% to 37% of the adjusted annual wage, by Form W-4 | Internal Revenue Service |
| Social Security | 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 | Social Security Administration and IRS |
| Medicare | 1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% above $200,000 in the year | Internal Revenue Service |
| Ohio income tax | 2.75% on income over $26,050; withheld at 1.6%, 2.99% and 3.4% of yearly wages after exemptions | Ohio Department of Taxation |
| City or county income tax | Columbus 2.5%, Cleveland 2.5%, Cincinnati 1.8%, Toledo 2.5% and Akron 2.5%; school district taxes vary | City income tax offices; Ohio Department of Taxation for school districts |
| State unemployment tax taken from employee pay | None: the employer pays it | Ohio Department of Job and Family Services |
Ohio has no state disability insurance, paid family leave or long-term care deduction, so the state line on an Ohio paycheck is income tax only.
City tax is based on where you work and uses qualifying wages, which are generally Medicare wages: a 401(k) contribution does not lower them. School district tax is based on where you live and uses the same wages as state tax.
How Ohio withholding is worked out
The Department of Taxation updated its withholding tables and percentage method on 1 August 2026. The method for each paycheck:
- Multiply the wages for the pay period by the number of pay periods in the year.
- Subtract $650 for each exemption on line 4 of Form IT 4.
- Apply the rates: 1.6% up to $26,050, 2.99% up to $100,000, and 3.4% above $100,000.
- Divide by the number of pay periods, then add the extra amount from line 5.
The withholding rates are set by the Department of Taxation and are not the same as the 2.75% rate on the tax return; any difference is settled when you file. Before August the rates were 1.775%, 2.99% and 3.64%. Ohio starts from federal adjusted gross income, so a traditional 401(k) contribution, a cafeteria-plan health premium and an HSA contribution all lower Ohio wages.
A worked example
The Department prints no worked example, so here is one. A single employee paid $2,500 every two weeks with one exemption: $2,500 × 26 = $65,000; minus $650 is $64,350; the rates give $1,561.97 for the year; ÷ 26 is $60.08 a paycheck. The Department's biweekly table, which subtracts $25.00 per exemption from each paycheck, gives the same amount to within a cent.
Ohio Form IT 4
Form IT 4, the Employee's Withholding Exemption Certificate, sets both state and school district withholding.
| Line or section | What to enter | Effect on withholding |
|---|---|---|
| School district | Your school district of residence and its number, from the state's lookup tool | Tells the employer which school district tax to withhold |
| 1 | 1 for yourself, or 0 if someone else can claim you | Each exemption lowers yearly wages by $650 |
| 2 | 1 for your spouse, or 0 if single or your spouse files a separate Ohio return | |
| 3 | The number of your dependents | |
| 4 | The total of lines 1 to 3 | |
| 5 | An extra amount to withhold each pay period | Added to every paycheck |
| Section III | Residents of Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania or West Virginia, and some military members and spouses | No Ohio withholding |
Without an IT 4, the employer withholds with zero exemptions and does not withhold school district tax, even if you live in a taxing district.
Ohio take-home pay by salary
The table shows 2026 take-home pay in Ohio for a single filer paid every two weeks, with one exemption on Form IT 4 and no city or school district tax, and no pre-tax deductions.
| Salary | Federal income tax | Social Security and Medicare | Ohio income tax | Take-home pay per year | Per paycheck (every two weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,420 | $2,295 | $516 | $25,769 | $991.13 |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $1,114 | $41,241 | $1,586.22 |
| $72,212 | $7,057 | $5,524 | $1,778 | $57,854 | $2,225.13 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $1,861 | $59,731 | $2,297.36 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $2,609 | $76,571 | $2,945.05 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $4,306 | $109,485 | $4,210.97 |
The $72,212 row is Ohio's median household income in the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey. A single filer paid that salary takes home $57,854 a year, or $2,225.13 every two weeks, after $1,778 in Ohio taxes.
Ohio take-home pay by hourly wage
The table shows a 40-hour week for a single filer paid weekly, with one exemption on Form IT 4 and no city or school district tax. The first row is the Ohio minimum wage of $11.00 an hour.
| Hourly wage | Gross pay per week (40 hours) | Federal taxes per week | Ohio taxes per week | Take-home pay per week | Take-home pay per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $11.00 | $440.00 | $46.70 | $6.84 | $386.46 | $20,096 |
| $15.00 | $600.00 | $75.98 | $10.60 | $513.42 | $26,698 |
| $20.00 | $800.00 | $115.28 | $16.58 | $668.14 | $34,743 |
| $25.00 | $1,000.00 | $154.58 | $22.56 | $822.86 | $42,789 |
| $30.00 | $1,200.00 | $193.88 | $28.54 | $977.58 | $50,834 |
| $40.00 | $1,600.00 | $304.59 | $40.50 | $1,254.91 | $65,255 |
At $11.00 an hour, a 40-hour week pays $440.00 before tax and $386.46 after federal and Ohio taxes.
Ohio city income tax
Ohio cities and villages tax wages earned within their limits, and the employer withholds the tax of the city where you work. The rates of the five largest cities in 2026:
| City | Rate on wages earned there | Collected by |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 2.5% | City of Columbus |
| Cleveland | 2.5% | Central Collection Agency |
| Cincinnati | 1.8% | City of Cincinnati |
| Toledo | 2.5% | City of Toledo |
| Akron | 2.5% | City of Akron |
If you live in one city and work in another, state law requires your home city to give a credit for the tax paid to the work city, up to its own rate. Many smaller cities collect their tax through RITA, the Regional Income Tax Agency, which is a collector and not a tax of its own. For any other city, choose "Other city" and enter the rate from the state's lookup tool.
Ohio school district income tax
Some Ohio school districts levy an income tax on residents. It depends on where you live, not where you work: people who work in a taxing district but live outside it do not pay it. The employer withholds it at your district's rate when you name the district on Form IT 4.
For example, $2,500 of state wages every two weeks in a district with a 1.5% tax adds $37.50 a paycheck.
Working in Ohio from a neighbouring state
Ohio has reciprocity with Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. A full-year resident of one of those states checks the box in Section III of Form IT 4, and no Ohio tax is withheld. City income tax can still apply where you work.
Ohio pay rules that shape your paycheck
These Ohio rules decide how much is on a paycheck and when it arrives.
| Rule | What Ohio law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $11.00 an hour at employers with gross receipts over $405,000; $7.25 at smaller employers and for workers aged 14 and 15 | Ohio Department of Commerce |
| Tipped employees | Cash wage of $5.50, with tips bringing the total to at least $11.00 | Ohio Department of Commerce |
| Overtime | One and one-half times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime. | Ohio Revised Code Section 4111.03 |
| Paydays | At least twice a month: first-half wages by the 1st of the next month and second-half wages by the 15th | Ohio Revised Code Section 4113.15 |
| Final paycheck | On the regular schedule; no separate deadline for quitting or being fired | Ohio Revised Code Section 4113.15 |
| Pay stub | Each payday since 9 April 2025: gross and net wages, each deduction, the pay period, and hours and rate for hourly workers | Ohio Revised Code Section 4113.14 |
| Meal and rest breaks | Not required for adults | Ohio Revised Code Section 4109.07 |
| Paid sick leave | Not required by state law | Ohio General Assembly |
Wages more than 30 days late can bring liquidated damages of 6% of the amount or $200, whichever is greater.
Who pays unemployment tax in Ohio?
Employers pay Ohio unemployment tax; nothing is taken from an employee's paycheck for it. For 2026 the taxable wage base is $9,000 per employee, and a new employer pays 2.85% (5.85% in construction).
What changed for Ohio paychecks in 2026, and what is next
- Ohio's income tax became a single rate of 2.75% on income over $26,050 for 2026 under House Bill 96.
- New withholding rates took effect on 1 August 2026: 1.6%, 2.99% and 3.4%, down from 1.775%, 2.99% and 3.64%.
- Supplemental pay such as a bonus is withheld at 2.75% from 1 January 2026, replacing the old 3.5% rule.
- The minimum wage rose to $11.00 on 1 January 2026.
- Federal figures changed: the Social Security wage base is $184,500 and the IRS published new withholding tables for 2026.
What the calculator includes
- Tax year: 2026. Ohio figures were checked against the Ohio Department of Taxation, the Department of Commerce and the city income tax offices on 15 October 2026.
- Taxes: federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Additional Medicare Tax, Ohio income tax.
- Forms: the 2020-and-later Form W-4 and the current Form IT 4.
- Pay: gross pay up to $10,000,000, hourly rates up to $10,000, up to 744 hours in a pay period, and an overtime multiplier from 1 to 5.
- Ohio rules: the August 2026 percentage method with Form IT 4 exemptions, city income tax for the five largest cities or any rate you enter, and school district tax at your district's rate.
Is it private?
Yes. The calculation runs in your browser. Your pay, your withholding forms and your result are not sent to a server and are not saved.
Tips for an accurate estimate
- Pick the city where you work, not where you live. Employers withhold the work city's tax.
- Find your school district and its rate in The Finder on the Ohio Department of Taxation website.
- Write your school district on Form IT 4. Without it, the employer withholds no school district tax.
- Your 401(k) lowers Ohio tax but not city tax, which is worked out on Medicare wages.
- If your home city has a higher rate than your work city, you may owe the difference when you file with it.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
- Does Ohio have a state income tax?
- Yes. For 2026 Ohio taxes nonbusiness income at 2.75% above $26,050, with no tax below it. Employers withhold at 1.6%, 2.99% and 3.4% of yearly wages after $650 for each exemption on Form IT 4.
- How much is $75,000 after taxes in Ohio?
- A single filer paid $75,000 a year in Ohio takes home $59,731 in 2026, or $2,297.36 every two weeks, with one exemption on Form IT 4 and no city or school district tax. Federal income tax is $7,670, Social Security and Medicare are $5,738, and Ohio taxes are $1,861.
- What taxes come out of a paycheck in Ohio?
- Federal income tax, Social Security tax of 6.2%, Medicare tax of 1.45% and Ohio income tax. Most cities add a city income tax on wages earned there, and some school districts tax residents.
- Which city tax comes out of my Ohio paycheck?
- The tax of the city where you work. If your home city also has a tax, it gives a credit for what the work city took, up to its own rate, so you may owe the difference when you file with your home city.
- What is the Columbus income tax rate?
- 2.5% of qualifying wages earned in Columbus. Cleveland, Toledo and Akron also charge 2.5%, and Cincinnati charges 1.8%.
- How do I find my Ohio school district tax?
- Enter your home address in The Finder on the Ohio Department of Taxation website. It gives your school district, its number and its tax rate. Put the district on Form IT 4 so your employer withholds it.
- What is the Ohio withholding rate on a bonus?
- 2.75% for 2026, the highest Ohio tax rate, when the bonus is paid separately from regular wages.
Sources
Every rate, bracket and limit this calculator uses comes from the official sources below. The method is shown on this page, so any result can be checked by hand.
- Ohio Department of Taxation, Employer Withholding Taxes, Percentage Method (Effective August 1, 2026); Form IT 4 (Rev. 01/24); School District Income Tax FAQ. Ohio withholding rates, the $650 exemption, Form IT 4, school district withholding and the supplemental rate.
- Cities of Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo and Akron; Central Collection Agency (Cleveland), 2026 income tax withholding instructions and forms. 2026 city income tax rates on wages.
- Ohio Department of Commerce and Ohio General Assembly, Ohio Minimum Wage 2026; Ohio Revised Code Sections 4111.03, 4113.14, 4113.15 and 4109.07. Ohio minimum and tipped wages, overtime, paydays, pay stubs and breaks.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 1-year estimates, table B19013. Median household income by state.
- Internal Revenue Service, Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods. Worksheet 1A and the 2026 Percentage Method Tables for Automated Payroll Systems: every bracket, rate and the $12,900 and $8,600 amounts on line 1g.
- Internal Revenue Service, Topic no. 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates. Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.45%, and Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% on wages above $200,000 in a calendar year.
- Social Security Administration, Contribution and Benefit Base. The 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500.