Connecticut · 401(k) Contribution
401(k) Contribution in Connecticut (2026)
Pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce 2026 taxable wages up to the $24,500 employee deferral limit, with catch-up rules for eligible older workers. Connecticut has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 6.99%, so a Connecticut filer's combined marginal rate on the next dollar at $90,213 of income is about 27.5% (22% federal + 5.5% CT).
2026 savings example for Connecticut
Planning estimate for a single filer earning $90,213 (Connecticut median household income in LevyIO's state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income. Federal tax uses the 2026 IRS brackets after the $16,100 standard deduction; CT tax uses the state brackets in LevyIO's dataset and assumes the state follows the federal treatment.
Estimated total savings
$1,375
Federal savings
$1,100
$11,017 → $9,917 · 22% bracket
CT state savings
$275
$4,212 → $3,937 · 5.5% marginal
Combined marginal rate
27.5%
≈ $275 saved per $1,000 deducted
Statutory maximum for this item in LevyIO's dataset: $24,500.
Federal × Connecticut marginal rates (2026, single)
Gross-income ranges include the federal standard deduction. The CT column is the state marginal rate at the midpoint of each range. The last column is the tax saved per $1,000 deducted at that combined rate.
| Federal bracket | Gross income (single) | CT marginal | Combined | Per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $16,100 - $28,500 | 4.5% | 14.5% | $145 |
| 12% | $28,500 - $66,500 | 4.5% | 16.5% | $165 |
| 22% | $66,500 - $121,800 | 5.5% | 27.5% | $275 |
| 24% | $121,800 - $217,875 | 6% | 30% | $300 |
| 32% | $217,875 - $272,325 | 6.5% | 38.5% | $385 |
| 35% | $272,325 - $656,700 | 6.9% | 41.9% | $419 |
| 37% | Over $656,700 | 6.99% | 43.99% | $440 |
Eligibility & forms
Employees with employer-sponsored 401(k) plans
- $24,500 employee elective deferral limit for 2026
- $32,500 total if age 50+ with regular catch-up
- $35,750 total if age 60-63 and the plan allows the higher catch-up
- Pre-tax contributions reduce taxable wages; Roth 401(k) contributions do not
Federal forms: W-2
Connecticut filing notes
Personal exemption credits phase out at higher incomes. A 'recapture' tax can push effective rates above stated brackets. Consider the high property tax when evaluating total cost of living.
Common mistakes: Not maximizing employer match; Over-contributing across multiple plans; Treating Roth 401(k) contributions as a current-year deduction; Ignoring payroll year-to-date deferrals after changing jobs.
Frequently asked questions
How much can the 401(k) Contribution save a Connecticut taxpayer in 2026?
In LevyIO's example, a single filer with $90,213 of income (the Connecticut median household income in our state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income saves about $1,100 in 2026 federal tax (22% marginal bracket) plus about $275 in Connecticut tax (5.5% state marginal rate), roughly $1,375 combined. It is a planning estimate computed from the 2026 IRS brackets and LevyIO's CT bracket data, not a survey figure.
What is the Connecticut income tax rate for 2026?
Connecticut has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 6.99%. The CT standard deduction in LevyIO's dataset is $0 single / $0 married. No standard deduction. Estate tax. Very high property taxes (1.96%).
Who qualifies for the 401(k) Contribution in Connecticut?
Employees with employer-sponsored 401(k) plans. The federal rules are the same in every state; the requirements are: $24,500 employee elective deferral limit for 2026; $32,500 total if age 50+ with regular catch-up; $35,750 total if age 60-63 and the plan allows the higher catch-up; Pre-tax contributions reduce taxable wages; Roth 401(k) contributions do not. Connecticut filers should confirm on the CT return whether the state follows the federal treatment.
Which forms do I file to claim the 401(k) Contribution?
Federal: W-2. Connecticut: check the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services instructions for the matching state schedule. Common mistakes: Not maximizing employer match; Over-contributing across multiple plans; Treating Roth 401(k) contributions as a current-year deduction; Ignoring payroll year-to-date deferrals after changing jobs.
401(k) Contribution in other states
More Connecticut deductions and credits
Sources
Reviewed 2026-09-17. Estimates are educational planning figures computed from the IRS 2026 inflation adjustments and LevyIO's state bracket dataset; they are not tax advice.