Live in Wisconsin, work in Iowa
No reciprocity: you file a nonresident return in the work state and pay its tax. Your home state gives a credit for that tax, so you pay the home state only if its tax is higher.
State income tax: $4,428 a year
Living in Wisconsin and working in Iowa, you'd pay about $4,428 in state income tax on $100,000 of wages.
No reciprocity: you file a nonresident return in the work state and pay its tax. Your home state gives a credit for that tax, so you pay the home state only if its tax is higher.
State tax at different salaries
| Wages | To IA | To WI | Total | If you worked in WI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $1,248 | $329 | $1,577 | $1,577 |
| $75,000 | $2,198 | $745 | $2,944 | $2,944 |
| $100,000 | $3,148 | $1,279 | $4,428 | $4,428 |
| $150,000 | $5,048 | $2,261 | $7,309 | $7,309 |
| $250,000 | $8,848 | $3,761 | $12,609 | $12,609 |
Single filer, all wages earned in Iowa, 2026 state tax rules, standard deductions. Local income taxes not included.
What to do
- Ask your employer to withhold Iowa tax. If Wisconsin's tax is higher, withhold the difference for Wisconsin too (or make estimated payments) to avoid an underpayment penalty.
- File the Iowa nonresident return first, then claim the credit for taxes paid to another state on your Wisconsin resident return.
- Keep a record of the days you work in each state, especially if you sometimes work from home.
Local income taxes
- Iowa: School district income surtax on residents only (percentage of state tax); does not affect nonresident commuters.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay Iowa income tax if I live in Wisconsin?
Yes. Iowa taxes wages earned there by nonresidents. On $100,000 that's about $3,148.
Do I have to file taxes in both Wisconsin and Iowa?
Usually yes: a nonresident return in Iowa and a resident return in Wisconsin, where you claim a credit for the tax paid to Iowa. File the Iowa return first.
Will I be taxed twice?
Not on the same state-level wages. Wisconsin credits the tax you pay Iowa, so your total is about $4,428 on $100,000, compared with $4,428 if you also worked in Wisconsin. Local city or county taxes may still apply.
Related
- Live in Iowa, work in Wisconsin
- Moving from Wisconsin to Iowa
- Moving from Iowa to Wisconsin
- Live in Wisconsin, work in Illinois
- Live in Wisconsin, work in Michigan
- Live in Wisconsin, work in Minnesota
Rules reviewed 2026-09-24 from state revenue departments and the Tax Foundation. Estimates only; confirm with each state's revenue department.