How to use the ohio paycheck calculator
- Enter gross pay for one check and pick the pay frequency.
- Enter the exemptions from your Ohio Form IT-4. Ohio does not use your federal filing status.
- Add 401(k) and health premiums per check, then any federal W-4 entries.
- Read net pay and the Ohio line.
Three withholding bands, from August 1, 2026
Ohio employers withhold with a percentage method that has three bands: 1.6% on the first slice of each check, 2.99% on the middle slice and 3.4% above it. The band edges differ by pay frequency; on a biweekly check they are $1,001.92 and $3,846.15 of taxable wages. A $2,800 biweekly check with a $140 401(k) deferral and one exemption withholds $64.86 for Ohio and takes home $2,135.36. Ohio adds no state disability or paid leave line to the stub, so this Ohio paycheck calculator shows one state line. For other states, see the general paycheck calculator.
The tables changed mid-year
The Ohio Department of Taxation issued revised withholding tables in July 2026, effective for wages paid on or after August 1, 2026, to reflect the scheduled tax cut under House Bill 96. This page uses the new tables. Checks paid before August 1 were withheld under the older tables, so a year-to-date total on your last pay stub will not match a recalculation here.
Exemptions are subtracted before the bands
Form IT-4 exemptions are worth $650 a year each. The percentage method subtracts a per-period amount for every exemption before looking up the tax: $12.50 weekly, $25.00 biweekly, $27.08 semimonthly and $54.17 monthly. The result is the taxable wage, which is then split across the three bands. Only the exemptions count; Ohio does not read the filing status or the Step 2 to Step 4 entries on the federal W-4, so those fields change only the federal line.
Withholding can run above the final tax
The top band of 3.4% is higher than the 2.75% flat rate (EY Tax News), so withholding can exceed the final tax.
Worked example: biweekly pay
An employee earns $2,800 every two weeks and defers $140 into a 401(k), which Ohio leaves out of wages. Wages are $2,660. One exemption removes $25.00, leaving $2,635.00. That falls in the middle band, which is $16.03 plus 2.99% of the amount over $1,001.92. The excess is $1,633.08 and 2.99% of it is $48.83, so Ohio withholds $64.86, the amount the Ohio paycheck calculator returns for this check.
Method and sources
State rule: Ohio Department of Taxation, "Employer Withholding Taxes - Percentage Method (Effective August 1, 2026)", Tables 1 to 4 for weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly pay, with the exemption amount for each period. The change of tables for wages paid on or after August 1, 2026 is also reported by EY Tax News (2026-1619) and the Ohio Society of CPAs. Federal income tax follows IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A, annual percentage method. Social Security is 6.2% up to the $184,500 wage base and Medicare is 1.45% plus 0.9% over $200,000 of wages.
What this does not cover
Ohio municipalities and some school districts levy their own income taxes, which employers withhold separately. None is included here, so take-home pay for a worker in a city with an income tax will be lower than shown. This is a withholding estimate for one paycheck, not a payroll quote or tax advice. Your employer's payroll system and your final tax return decide the real figures.
Worked examples
| Example | Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio example | Gross pay this period ($): 2800; Pay frequency: biweekly; Federal filing status (W-4 Step 1c): single; Ohio exemptions on Form IT-4: 1; Pre-tax 401(k) per pay period ($): 140; Health and other section 125 premiums per period ($): 0; W-4 Step 2 box checked (two jobs)?: no; W-4 Step 3 credits, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(a) other income, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(b) deductions, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(c) extra withholding per period ($): 0; Wages already paid this year ($): 0 | Gross pay this period: $2,800.00; Pre-tax deductions: $140.00; Federal income tax withholding: $245.58; Social Security (6.2%): $173.60; Medicare (1.45%): $40.60; Ohio income tax: $64.86; Net pay this period: $2,135.36; Net pay per year: $55,519.36; Total withheld as % of gross: 18.74% |
| Weekly pay, no exemptions | Gross pay this period ($): 400; Pay frequency: weekly; Federal filing status (W-4 Step 1c): single; Ohio exemptions on Form IT-4: 0; Pre-tax 401(k) per pay period ($): 0; Health and other section 125 premiums per period ($): 0; W-4 Step 2 box checked (two jobs)?: no; W-4 Step 3 credits, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(a) other income, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(b) deductions, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(c) extra withholding per period ($): 0; Wages already paid this year ($): 0 | Gross pay this period: $400.00; Pre-tax deductions: $0.00; Federal income tax withholding: $9.04; Social Security (6.2%): $24.80; Medicare (1.45%): $5.80; Ohio income tax: $6.40; Net pay this period: $353.96; Net pay per year: $18,405.92; Total withheld as % of gross: 11.51% |
| Higher pay, two exemptions | Gross pay this period ($): 9000; Pay frequency: biweekly; Federal filing status (W-4 Step 1c): single; Ohio exemptions on Form IT-4: 2; Pre-tax 401(k) per pay period ($): 0; Health and other section 125 premiums per period ($): 0; W-4 Step 2 box checked (two jobs)?: no; W-4 Step 3 credits, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(a) other income, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(b) deductions, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(c) extra withholding per period ($): 0; Wages already paid this year ($): 0 | Gross pay this period: $9,000.00; Pre-tax deductions: $0.00; Federal income tax withholding: $1,776.31; Social Security (6.2%): $558.00; Medicare (1.45%): $130.50; Ohio income tax: $274.60; Net pay this period: $6,260.59; Net pay per year: $162,775.34; Total withheld as % of gross: 30.44% |
| Monthly pay with 401(k) | Gross pay this period ($): 6000; Pay frequency: monthly; Federal filing status (W-4 Step 1c): single; Ohio exemptions on Form IT-4: 3; Pre-tax 401(k) per pay period ($): 300; Health and other section 125 premiums per period ($): 0; W-4 Step 2 box checked (two jobs)?: no; W-4 Step 3 credits, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(a) other income, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(b) deductions, per year ($): 0; W-4 Step 4(c) extra withholding per period ($): 0; Wages already paid this year ($): 0 | Gross pay this period: $6,000.00; Pre-tax deductions: $300.00; Federal income tax withholding: $518.17; Social Security (6.2%): $372.00; Medicare (1.45%): $87.00; Ohio income tax: $135.39; Net pay this period: $4,587.44; Net pay per year: $55,049.28; Total withheld as % of gross: 18.54% |
FAQ
What is the Ohio income tax withholding rate in 2026?
From August 1, 2026 the percentage method uses 1.6%, 2.99% and 3.4% bands, with the band edges set by pay frequency.
How much is an Ohio exemption worth for withholding?
About $650 a year, which the tables take off as $12.50 weekly, $25.00 biweekly, $27.08 semimonthly or $54.17 monthly.
Does Ohio use my federal W-4?
No. Ohio withholding uses the exemptions on Form IT-4. The federal W-4 changes only the federal line.
Are city and school district income taxes included?
No. Ohio municipal and school district taxes are withheld separately and are not modelled.
Why was my Ohio withholding different before August 2026?
The Ohio Department of Taxation reissued its withholding tables for wages paid on or after August 1, 2026, so earlier checks used the previous tables.
Does Ohio tax my 401(k) contribution?
Not for withholding. Traditional 401(k) deferrals and health premiums are taken out of wages before the Ohio tables are applied.