Wisconsin · Local Income Tax Deduction
Local Income Tax Deduction in Wisconsin (2026)
Deduct local income taxes paid to cities or counties as part of the combined federal SALT limit. Wisconsin has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 7.65%, so a Wisconsin filer's combined marginal rate on the next dollar at $67,125 of income is about 27.3% (22% federal + 5.3% WI).
2026 savings example for Wisconsin
Planning estimate for a single filer earning $67,125 (Wisconsin 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; WI tax uses the state brackets in LevyIO's dataset and assumes the state follows the federal treatment.
Estimated total savings
$894
Federal savings
$663
$5,938 → $5,275 · 22% bracket
WI state savings
$231
$2,214 → $1,983 · 5.3% marginal
Combined marginal rate
27.3%
≈ $273 saved per $1,000 deducted
Statutory maximum for this item in LevyIO's dataset: $40,400.
Federal × Wisconsin marginal rates (2026, single)
Gross-income ranges include the federal standard deduction. The WI 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) | WI marginal | Combined | Per $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | $16,100 - $28,500 | 3.5% | 13.5% | $135 |
| 12% | $28,500 - $66,500 | 4.4% | 16.4% | $164 |
| 22% | $66,500 - $121,800 | 5.3% | 27.3% | $273 |
| 24% | $121,800 - $217,875 | 5.3% | 29.3% | $293 |
| 32% | $217,875 - $272,325 | 5.3% | 37.3% | $373 |
| 35% | $272,325 - $656,700 | 7.65% | 42.65% | $427 |
| 37% | Over $656,700 | 7.65% | 44.65% | $447 |
Eligibility & forms
Taxpayers in cities/counties with local income tax
- Part of the combined $40,400 SALT cap ($20,200 MFS)
- Must itemize
- NYC, Philadelphia, etc.
Federal forms: Schedule A
Wisconsin filing notes
Standard deduction phases out at higher incomes. Use capital gains exclusions on WI farm and business assets. Social Security exempt. Homestead credit helps offset property taxes.
Common mistakes: Forgetting local tax exists; Not including in SALT calculation.
Frequently asked questions
How much can the Local Income Tax Deduction save a Wisconsin taxpayer in 2026?
In LevyIO's example, a single filer with $67,125 of income (the Wisconsin median household income in our state dataset) who removes $5,000 from taxable income saves about $663 in 2026 federal tax (22% marginal bracket) plus about $231 in Wisconsin tax (5.3% state marginal rate), roughly $894 combined. It is a planning estimate computed from the 2026 IRS brackets and LevyIO's WI bracket data, not a survey figure.
What is the Wisconsin income tax rate for 2026?
Wisconsin has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 7.65%. The WI standard deduction in LevyIO's dataset is $13,960 single / $25,840 married. Four brackets 3.5%-7.65%. High property taxes (1.61%). Standard deduction phases out. Farm capital gains exclusion. Social Security exempt.
Who qualifies for the Local Income Tax Deduction in Wisconsin?
Taxpayers in cities/counties with local income tax. The federal rules are the same in every state; the requirements are: Part of the combined $40,400 SALT cap ($20,200 MFS); Must itemize; NYC, Philadelphia, etc.. Wisconsin filers should confirm on the WI return whether the state follows the federal treatment.
Which forms do I file to claim the Local Income Tax Deduction?
Federal: Schedule A. Wisconsin: check the Wisconsin Department of Revenue instructions for the matching state schedule. Common mistakes: Forgetting local tax exists; Not including in SALT calculation.
Local Income Tax Deduction in other states
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.