Income Tax for Louisiana (2026)

How This Calculator Works in Louisiana

This calculator applies Louisiana's 2026 tax brackets and rates to estimate your state income tax liability. Enter your income and filing status to see your marginal rate, effective rate, and estimated tax owed.

Louisiana Overview

Louisiana recently transitioned to a flat income tax of 4.25%, simplifying a former 3-bracket progressive system. The state remains one of six that allows a deduction for federal income taxes paid, which meaningfully reduces the effective rate. Louisiana's combined state and local sales taxes can exceed 11% in some parishes — among the highest nationally — partly offsetting the moderate income tax rate.

How Louisiana Compares

Louisiana's top income tax rate of 4.25% compares to Texas at 0% and Mississippi at 4.7%. The rate differences can meaningfully impact take-home pay for workers near state borders.

Louisiana's income tax rate of 4.25% compares to a national average of approximately 5.04%. This is below the national average.

Tips for Louisiana Residents

• 1Louisiana recently reformed its income tax to a flat rate of 4.25% (effective 2025), replacing a 3-bracket progressive system with rates up to 4.25%.
• 2Louisiana is one of six states that allows a deduction for federal income taxes paid, which significantly reduces the effective tax rate.
• 3The state does not tax Social Security benefits and offers generous exemptions for other retirement income.
• 4Louisiana has a 4.45% state sales tax plus local additions that can push combined rates above 11% in some parishes — among the highest in the nation.
• 5The state offers a homestead exemption on the first $75,000 of home value, one of the most generous in the country.

Frequently Asked Questions