Living and working in the North Star State means navigating a specific set of tax laws. Minnesota is known for having a progressive income tax system, which means higher earners pay a higher percentage of their income in state taxes. Our Minnesota Paycheck Calculator is designed to help you estimate your take-home pay by accounting for federal taxes, FICA, and specific MN state tax brackets.
How Minnesota Income Tax Works
Unlike some states that have a flat tax rate, Minnesota uses four distinct tax brackets. For the 2024 tax year, these rates are:
5.35% on the first tier of taxable income.
6.80% on the second tier.
7.85% on the third tier.
9.85% for high-income earners in the top tier.
Minnesota also allows for a standard deduction that typically mirrors the federal standard deduction, helping to reduce your overall taxable income before the state rates are applied.
Key Deductions from Your MN Paycheck
When you look at your pay stub, several items are deducted before you receive your "net pay":
Federal Income Tax: Determined by your filing status (Single, Married, etc.) and your earnings level.
FICA Taxes: This includes Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). These are mandatory federal contributions.
Minnesota State Withholding: The amount calculated based on the MN tax brackets mentioned above.
Pre-tax Contributions: If you contribute to a 401(k), 403(b), or a Health Savings Account (HSA), these amounts are taken out before taxes are calculated, which actually lowers your total tax burden.
Example Calculation
Suppose you are a single filer in Minneapolis earning an annual salary of $70,000. You contribute $200 per month to your health insurance (pre-tax). Your calculation would look roughly like this:
Annual Gross: $70,000
Federal Standard Deduction: $14,600 (Taxable Federal: $53,000 approx)
Social Security/Medicare: ~$5,355
Estimated MN State Tax: ~$3,200
Estimated Take-Home (Bi-weekly): ~$1,950
Note: This calculator provides an estimate for educational purposes. Actual take-home pay may vary based on specific local taxes, additional withholdings, and year-to-year changes in tax law.