States that don't tax Social Security
By Sol Lakein, founder of Slower Sundays. Updated November 2026.
- 42 + DCDon't tax benefitsTax year 2026
- 8 statesStill tax some benefitsUsually above an income threshold
- West VirginiaNewest to stopPhase-out complete in 2026
The 8 states that tax Social Security
| State | Top income tax rate | Property tax (effective) | Sales tax (combined) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 4.40% | 0.52% | 7.89% |
| Connecticut | 6.99% | 1.59% | 6.35% |
| Minnesota | 9.85% | 1.04% | 8.14% |
| Montana | 5.65% | 0.69% | 0.00% |
| New Mexico | 5.90% | 0.63% | 7.67% |
| Rhode Island | 5.99% | 1.02% | 7.00% |
| Utah | 4.50% | 0.50% | 7.42% |
| Vermont | 8.75% | 1.51% | 6.39% |
States that don't tax Social Security
| State | Income tax | Property tax (effective) | Sales tax (combined) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | None | 1.06% | 1.82% |
| Florida | None | 0.80% | 6.98% |
| Nevada | None | 0.47% | 8.24% |
| New Hampshire | None | 1.43% | 0.00% |
| South Dakota | None | 1.04% | 6.11% |
| Tennessee | None | 0.46% | 9.61% |
| Texas | None | 1.32% | 8.20% |
| Washington | None on wages | 0.81% | 9.51% |
| Wyoming | None | 0.56% | 5.56% |
| Alabama | 5.00% | 0.38% | 9.46% |
| Arizona | 2.50% | 0.44% | 8.52% |
| Arkansas | 3.70% | 0.50% | 9.46% |
| California | 13.30% | 0.72% | 8.99% |
| Delaware | 6.60% | 0.49% | 0.00% |
| District of Columbia | 10.75% | 0.67% | 6.00% |
| Georgia | 4.99% | 0.77% | 7.49% |
| Hawaii | 11.00% | 0.26% | 4.50% |
| Idaho | 5.30% | 0.42% | 6.03% |
| Illinois | 4.95% | 1.92% | 8.96% |
| Indiana | 2.95% | 0.74% | 7.00% |
| Iowa | 3.80% | 1.27% | 6.94% |
| Kansas | 5.58% | 1.24% | 8.69% |
| Kentucky | 3.50% | 0.72% | 6.00% |
| Louisiana | 3.00% | 0.55% | 10.11% |
| Maine | 7.15% | 0.92% | 5.50% |
| Maryland | 6.50% | 0.98% | 6.00% |
| Massachusetts | 9.00% | 1.01% | 6.25% |
| Michigan | 4.25% | 1.17% | 6.00% |
| Mississippi | 4.00% | 0.65% | 7.06% |
| Missouri | 4.70% | 0.79% | 8.44% |
| Nebraska | 4.55% | 1.31% | 6.98% |
| New Jersey | 10.75% | 1.82% | 6.60% |
| New York | 10.90% | 1.42% | 8.54% |
| North Carolina | 3.99% | 0.64% | 7.00% |
| North Dakota | 2.50% | 0.92% | 7.09% |
| Ohio | 2.75% | 1.22% | 7.29% |
| Oklahoma | 4.50% | 0.76% | 9.06% |
| Oregon | 9.90% | 0.79% | 0.00% |
| Pennsylvania | 3.07% | 1.12% | 6.34% |
| South Carolina | 5.21% | 0.45% | 7.49% |
| Virginia | 5.75% | 0.71% | 5.77% |
| West Virginia | 4.58% | 0.51% | 6.59% |
| Wisconsin | 7.65% | 1.20% | 5.72% |
See which of these come out ahead once every tax is counted: tax-friendly states for retirees.
Social Security and state taxes: questions people ask
Which states do not tax Social Security?
42 states and DC do not tax Social Security benefits in 2026. 9 of them have no tax on wages at all (Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming), and the rest exempt benefits from their income tax.
Which states tax Social Security in 2026?
8 states: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont. Most of them exempt lower and middle incomes or older retirees, so many residents owe nothing on their benefits (Kiplinger, 2026).
Did West Virginia stop taxing Social Security?
Yes. West Virginia's three-year phase-out ends with tax year 2026, when benefits become fully exempt (Kiplinger, 2026).
Is a state that doesn't tax Social Security automatically cheap for retirees?
No. Property tax, sales tax and tax on pensions and retirement accounts can matter more than the Social Security rule. See our ranking of tax-friendly states for retirees, which weighs all of them.
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Sources for this page
- States that tax Social Security in 2026: Kiplinger, States That Tax Social Security Benefits in 2026
- Income tax rates: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (as of January 1, 2026), with Georgia and South Carolina updated for 2026 laws signed later
- Property tax paid and home value: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 1-year, tables B25103 and B25077
- Sales tax rates: Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026 (January 20, 2026)