STATE TAX COMPARISON · TAX YEAR 2026
Wisconsin vs Illinois taxes in 2026
Illinois taxes income at a flat 4.95%, while Wisconsin taxes it at graduated rates from 3.5% to 7.65%. For single filers, take-home pay is higher in Wisconsin up to $100,000 and higher in Illinois from $150,000 up, by $379 at $250,000. For a married couple with two children, take-home pay is higher in Wisconsin up to $100,000 and higher in Illinois from $150,000 up, by $501 at $250,000.
Your estimate
- You keep more in Wisconsin
- $624.19 a year
- Wisconsin income tax
- $2,943.52
- Illinois income tax
- $3,567.71
- Take-home in Wisconsin
- $58,648.98
- Take-home in Illinois
- $58,024.79
Take-home pay in Wisconsin and Illinois
Take-home pay is wages minus state income tax, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare. Property, sales and other taxes are not included.
| Wisconsin | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $753 more take-home in Wisconsin | ||
| State income tax | $1,577 | $2,330 |
| Take-home pay | $40,778 | $40,025 |
| $75,000 in wages: $624 more take-home in Wisconsin | ||
| State income tax | $2,944 | $3,568 |
| Take-home pay | $58,649 | $58,025 |
| $100,000 in wages: $378 more take-home in Wisconsin | ||
| State income tax | $4,428 | $4,805 |
| Take-home pay | $74,752 | $74,375 |
| $150,000 in wages: $29 more take-home in Illinois | ||
| State income tax | $7,309 | $7,280 |
| Take-home pay | $106,482 | $106,511 |
| $250,000 in wages: $379 more take-home in Illinois | ||
| State income tax | $12,609 | $12,230 |
| Take-home pay | $170,573 | $170,952 |
| Wisconsin | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 in wages: $955 more take-home in Wisconsin | ||
| State income tax | $941 | $1,896 |
| Take-home pay | $47,854 | $46,899 |
| $75,000 in wages: $875 more take-home in Wisconsin | ||
| State income tax | $2,258 | $3,133 |
| Take-home pay | $66,764 | $65,889 |
| $100,000 in wages: $650 more take-home in Wisconsin | ||
| State income tax | $3,721 | $4,371 |
| Take-home pay | $85,389 | $84,739 |
| $150,000 in wages: $49 more take-home in Illinois | ||
| State income tax | $6,895 | $6,846 |
| Take-home pay | $120,690 | $120,739 |
| $250,000 in wages: $501 more take-home in Illinois | ||
| State income tax | $12,297 | $11,796 |
| Take-home pay | $189,571 | $190,072 |
Rates and deductions
| Wisconsin | Illinois | |
|---|---|---|
| Rates | 3.5% to 7.65% | 4.95% flat |
| Standard deduction | $13,960 single, $25,840 joint, shrinking above $20,120 of income ($29,040 joint) | None |
| Personal exemption | $700 single, $1,400 joint | $2,925 single, $5,850 joint, none above $250,000 of income ($500,000 joint) |
Retirement and Social Security
Does Wisconsin tax Social Security?
No. Wisconsin does not tax Social Security benefits.
Wisconsin Social Security tax rules
Does Wisconsin tax retirement income?
Partly. From age 67, Wisconsin subtracts up to $24,000 per person of pension and IRA income ($48,000 on a joint return when both are 67), but claiming it gives up Wisconsin's credits.
Wisconsin retirement income tax for 2026
Does Illinois tax Social Security?
No. Illinois does not tax Social Security benefits.
Illinois Social Security tax rules
Does Illinois tax retirement income?
No. Illinois exempts pensions and 401(k) and IRA withdrawals, with no age, dollar or income limit.