For more on how deductions change taxable wages, see our
pre-tax vs. post-tax deductions guide.
Louisiana Paycheck Tax Calculator: How Louisiana Withholding Works
A Louisiana paycheck calculator has one state tax
to get right, and since the 2025 reform it's a single formula. On
your pay stub it usually appears as
SIT or LA state withholding;
our pay stub abbreviations list
explains the other codes.
Federal Withholding for Louisiana Paychecks
Federal withholding uses your Form W-4 and the 2026 federal
brackets. The calculator supports filing status, Step 2(c), Step 3
credits and Step 4(a), 4(b) and 4(c). If you claim the new overtime
or tips deductions, our
W-4 Step 4(b) worksheet guide
shows how to enter them, and our
2026 federal tax withholding guide
covers the rest.
Working Across State Lines
Louisiana has no reciprocal agreements. People who live in
Texas,
Mississippi or
Arkansas
and work in Louisiana have Louisiana tax withheld. Mississippi and
Arkansas residents usually claim a credit at home; Texas has no
income tax, so there's nothing to credit against. Louisiana
residents who work in another state owe Louisiana tax on all
their income and take a credit for tax paid to the other state.
Bonuses
Bonuses are subject to Louisiana withholding, federal withholding
(usually a flat 22% on separately paid bonuses) and FICA. See
why bonuses are taxed so high.
Employer Payroll Costs in Louisiana
Employers pay state unemployment tax
on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages in 2026. Experienced
employers pay from 0.09% to 6.2%, and new employers usually pay
the average rate for their industry. Employers also pay their
share of Social Security and Medicare and federal unemployment
tax. None of it comes out of your pay. At year-end, our
W-2 form generator
can use the same wage and withholding totals.
Why Your Actual Louisiana Paycheck May Differ
This calculator is a close estimate, not your employer's payroll
run. Your L-4 on file, benefit elections, year-to-date wages and a
27th biweekly payday in some years can all move the result a
little.
Three-paycheck months
change monthly cash flow but not the tax on each check. For a full
checklist, see why your paycheck is lower than expected.
Official 2026 Louisiana Payroll Sources
Payroll facts on this page are checked against the
2026 Louisiana withholding tables and formula (R-1306),
the Department of Revenue income tax reform FAQ,
the Louisiana Workforce Commission
and IRS Publication 15-T for 2026.
Reviewed September 24, 2026.
