TakeHomeTax

Best States for Freelancers & Self-Employed (2026)

Self-employment tax hits hard — these states minimize the additional state burden on freelancers.

#StateTax RateTypeTake-HomeMonthlyEff. RateCost IndexCost-Adj.
1Alaska0%None$78,890$6,57421.1%127$62,118
2Florida0%None$78,890$6,57421.1%100$78,890
3Nevada0%None$78,890$6,57421.1%101$78,109
4New Hampshire0%None$78,890$6,57421.1%108$73,046
5South Dakota0%None$78,890$6,57421.1%92$85,750
6Tennessee0%None$78,890$6,57421.1%90$87,656
7Texas0%None$78,890$6,57421.1%93$84,828
8Washington0%None$78,890$6,57421.1%110$71,718
9Wyoming0%None$78,890$6,57421.1%94$83,926
10North Dakota1.95%Grad.$77,428$6,45222.6%92$84,160
11Arizona2.5%Flat$77,015$6,41823.0%97$79,397
12Louisiana4.25%Grad.$75,703$6,30924.3%91$83,190
13Arkansas4.4%Grad.$75,590$6,29924.4%86$87,895
14Colorado4.4%Flat$75,590$6,29924.4%105$71,990
15North Carolina4.5%Flat$75,515$6,29324.5%95$79,489
16Utah4.65%Flat$75,403$6,28424.6%99$76,164
17Oklahoma4.75%Grad.$75,328$6,27724.7%87$86,583
18Illinois4.95%Flat$75,178$6,26524.8%93$80,836
19Massachusetts5%Flat$75,140$6,26224.9%118$63,678
20Mississippi5%Grad.$75,140$6,26224.9%83$90,530
21Indiana3.05%Flat$75,103$6,25924.9%90$83,447
22Pennsylvania3.07%Flat$75,088$6,25724.9%98$76,620
23Ohio3.5%Grad.$74,765$6,23025.2%90$83,072
24Kentucky4%Flat$74,390$6,19925.6%90$82,656
25Michigan4.25%Flat$74,203$6,18425.8%91$81,541
26Missouri4.8%Grad.$73,790$6,14926.2%89$82,910
27Alabama5%Grad.$73,640$6,13726.4%88$83,682

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Highest Take-HomeNo Income TaxCheapest StatesRemote Workers$100K Salary
The Take-Home Tax Guide
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