Arkansas Paycheck Calculator

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Arkansas Paycheck Quick Facts Arkansas income tax rate: 0.9% - 6.9% Median household income: $42,336 (U.S. Census Bureau) Number of cities that have local income taxes: 0

How Your Arkansas Paycheck Works

Arkansas residents have to pay taxes just like all U.S. residents. Your employer will withhold federal income and FICA taxes from each paycheck. Just to remind you, that money goes to the IRS who then hands it out to things like your annual income taxes, Medicare and Social Security. The information on your W-4 is what your employer will use to withhold a certain amount of federal taxes. This is a form you’ll need to fill out every time your status changes (for example, you get married) or you start employment elsewhere.

In December 2017, President Trump signed a new tax plan into law. The IRS has since released updated tax withholding guidelines and taxpayers should have seen changes to their paychecks, to reflect the new tax plan, starting in February 2018. When exactly you see changes will depend on when your employer makes the change and how often you receive paychecks. For the time being, taxpayers do not need to fill out a new W-4. Employers will use the withholdings on your current form.

Your marital status is one factor that can affect how much federal tax is withheld from your paycheck as well as whether you decide to file jointly or separately from your spouse. If you have dependents, you might qualify for different withholding allowances, which means less will get taken out in taxes.

Other factors that affect the size of your paycheck include the frequency of your pay periods and what withholdings you’ve authorized your employer to make. For example, you might be receiving more or less money in your paycheck depending on how much you contribute to retirement accounts (like a Roth IRA or 401(k)), different health plans (such as a Health Savings Account or health insurance) or other types of pre- and post-tax deductions.

Arkansas’ tax rate does not change regardless of your marital status. Instead the state’s relativity complex system is based on an individual’s income level.

For taxpayers earning less than $21,000 there are four tax rates: income up to $4,299 is taxed at 0.9%; income from $4,300 to $8,399 is taxed at 2.4%; income from $8,400 to $12,599 is taxed at 3.4% and income from $12,600 to $20,999 is taxed at 4.4%.

Taxpayers who earn between $21,000 and $75,000 are taxed at the following rates: 0.9% on income up to $4,299; 2.5% on income between $4,300 and $8,399; 3.5% on income between $8,400 and $12,599; 4.5% on income between $12,600 and $20,999; 5% on income between $21,000 and $35,099 and 6% on income between $35,100 and $75,000.

Arkansas earners who make above $75,000 are taxed at the following rates: 0.9% for income up to $4,299; 2.5% for income from $4,300 to $8,399; 3.5% from income from $8,400 to $12,599; 4.5% on income from $12,600 to $20,999; 6% on income from $21,000 to $35,099 and 6.9% for income over $35,100.

If you pay taxes to another state and are a resident of Arkansas, you may be eligible for a tax credit which could help with your paycheck. Common sense here, but you need to make sure you report the income you’ve earned outside the state to Arkansas.

If you’re a resident of Texarkana, Arkansas, you can claim the border city exemption. This means that any income you earn in Texarkana, if you’re a resident there, is exempt from Arkansas income tax. If you have a job outside this area, you will be subject to state taxes.

If you’re thinking about becoming a resident of the Natural State and will be purchasing a home with a mortgage, or if you are considering a refinance, take a look at our Arkansas mortgage guide for information on rates and details pertaining to each county.

How You Can Affect Your Arkansas Paycheck

Arkansas residents can tweak their paychecks in a few ways. If you paid a lot of taxes in April, it’s a smart idea to check your W-4 form and see what ways you can change the amount of withholding. Getting more withheld might mean a smaller paycheck, but it could be worth it if you don’t want to pay a large lump sum come tax season or face any potential underpayment penalties from the IRS.

A simple way to do this is to just ask your employer to withhold a certain amount, say $20 from each paycheck. All you need to do is to fill in the appropriate line on your W-4.

Changing your allowances can also alter your withholding. Play around with different scenarios that may apply to you (such as the recent or impending birth of a baby or if you want to start filing jointly) to see how they will affect your paycheck.

Contributing more or less toward pre- and post-tax contributions is yet another way to alter your paycheck. Depending on your budget and priorities, adding more money to different options such as a Health Savings Account or a commuter benefits program can help save you on some taxes. Other pre-tax deductions such as a 401(k) can help you have less taxable income, which can lower what you owe Uncle Sam.