Louisiana paycheck taxes at a glance
| State income tax | Flat 3% |
|---|---|
| Standard deduction | $12,838 single, $25,676 joint |
| Pre-tax deductions | 401(k), HSA and health premiums lower state tax too |
| Local income tax | None on wages |
| State payroll deductions | None |
| Reciprocity | None |
| Figures | Tax year 2026 |
Every paycheck also has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500) and Medicare (1.45%), worked out with the same 2026 IRS figures as ourmain paycheck calculator.
Worked examples
A $50,000 salary in Baton Rouge, single, paid every two weeks
| Per paycheck | Per year | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $1,923.08 | $50,000 |
| Federal income tax | − $146.92 | − $3,820 |
| Social Security and Medicare | − $147.12 | − $3,825 |
| Louisiana income tax | − $42.88 | − $1,115 |
| Take-home pay | $1,586.16 | $41,240 |
Single, paid every two weeks (26 paychecks). Louisiana taxable income is $37,162 and the state tax is $1,115, an effective 2.23% of gross pay. The first $12,838 is covered by the standard deduction and the rest is taxed at 3%, so the effective Louisiana rate stays well under 3%.
A $120,000 household in New Orleans, married filing jointly with two children
| Per paycheck | Per year | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $4,615.38 | $120,000 |
| 401(k) at 6% | − $276.92 | − $7,200 |
| Federal income tax | − $183.69 | − $4,776 |
| Social Security and Medicare | − $353.08 | − $9,180 |
| Louisiana income tax | − $100.53 | − $2,614 |
| Take-home pay | $3,701.16 | $96,230 |
Married filing jointly, 2 children, paid every two weeks (26 paychecks). Louisiana taxable income is $87,124 and the state tax is $2,614, an effective 2.178% of gross pay. The 6% 401(k) deferral lowers Louisiana taxable wages, and the $25,676 joint standard deduction applies. The children lower federal tax through the child tax credit but no longer change the Louisiana tax.
The 2025 flat-tax reform
Act 11 of the 2024 Third Extraordinary Session rebuilt Louisiana’s income tax from January 1, 2025. Three brackets topping out at 4.25% became one 3% rate. The standard deduction nearly tripled, from $4,500 to $12,500 for single filers and from $9,000 to $25,000 for joint filers and heads of household. In exchange, the extra exemptions for dependents, age 65 and blindness were repealed, so children no longer lower your Louisiana tax.
Standard deduction now rises with inflation
From 2026 the standard deduction is adjusted each year by the change in the Consumer Price Index. LDR announced a 2.7% increase for 2026: $12,838 for single and married-separate filers and $25,676 for joint filers, heads of household and qualifying surviving spouses. The retirement income exemption for people 65 and older rose to $12,324 the same way.
Why your withholding looks slightly high
Employers use LDR’s 2026 withholding tables, which apply 3.09% instead of 3% to build in a small cushion, and an early estimate of the standard deduction ($12,875 single, $25,750 joint) made before the final inflation figure was known. This calculator shows the tax you actually owe for the year, so most workers will see a small refund when they file their return.
No local income tax, no reciprocity
No Louisiana parish or city taxes wages; local governments rely on sales and property taxes instead. Louisiana has no reciprocal agreements, so if you live in Mississippi or Texas and work in Louisiana, Louisiana taxes the wages you earn here. A Mississippi resident then claims a credit at home for the Louisiana tax paid.
Louisiana vs. neighboring states
Take-home pay on a $75,000 salary, single, no pre-tax deductions and no local tax:
| State | Income tax | State tax + programs | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Flat 3% | $1,865 | $59,728 |
| Texas | None on wages | $0 | $61,593 |
| Arkansas | 2% to 3.7% (5 brackets, 0% up to $5,599 single) | $2,287 | $59,305 |
| Mississippi | 4% above $10,000 (single) | $2,268 | $59,325 |
Where you work and where you live can both matter. See paycheck calculators for every state for the full comparison.