Montana Paycheck Calculator

Updated for 2026 tax year · figures checked on November 3, 2026

Montana withholds state income tax at two rates in 2026, 4.7% and 5.65%, after a band of wages that isn't taxed. This Montana paycheck calculator, also a salary and take-home pay calculator, shows your state withholding next to federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.

A single filer on a $60,000 salary, paid every two weeks, has a $2,307.69 paycheck and takes home about $1,859.07, or $48,336 a year.

Take-home pay per bi-weekly paycheck

$1,859.07

$48,335.82 a year from $59,999.94 gross pay (26 paychecks)

Take-home 80.6%
Federal income tax 8.4%
Social Security 6.2%
Medicare 1.4%
State income tax 3.4%

Paycheck breakdown per paycheck and per year in Montana
Item	Per paycheck	Per year
Gross pay	$2,307.69	$59,999.94
Federal income tax	−$193.08	−$5,020.08
Social Security	−$143.08	−$3,720.08
Medicare	−$33.46	−$869.96
State income tax	−$79.00	−$2,054.00
Take-home pay	$1,859.07	$48,335.82

How we calculated this

Estimates for informational purposes only, based on 2026 withholding rules. Your actual paycheck may differ. This is not tax advice. Report an issue

Montana salary calculator: what your result means

Your result is take-home pay after federal taxes and Montana income tax. In the $60,000 example, federal income tax is about 8.4% of gross pay, Social Security and Medicare 7.7%, and Montana income tax 3.4%.

Montana withholding depends on your MW-4 filing status, not allowances. If you're married and both of you work, tick the box under More options; your employer then uses the single table. Withholding is rounded to the dollar.

At $100,000 a year, take-home pay is about $2,880.38 every two weeks, or $74,890 a year. A $40,000 salary paid weekly comes to about $638.01 per paycheck.

How Montana taxes your paycheck

Montana withholding at a glance
State income tax on wages	Graduated rates (see below)
State payroll programs withheld from pay	None

Source: Montana Department of Revenue, Montana Employer and Information Agent Guide with Tax Tables (V4 November 2025; official document, archived copy dated 2026-10-18)

Montana withholding rates, single, or married with both spouses working schedule

over $00%
over $16,1004.7%
over $63,6005.65%

Montana withholding rates by taxable wages
Schedule	Taxable wages over	Rate
Single, or married with both spouses working	$0	0%
	$16,100	4.7%
	$63,600	5.65%
Married filing jointly	$0	0%
	$32,200	4.7%
	$127,200	5.65%
Head of household	$0	0%
	$24,150	4.7%
	$95,400	5.65%

Source: Montana Department of Revenue, Montana Employer and Information Agent Guide with Tax Tables (V4 November 2025; official document, archived copy dated 2026-10-18)

Thresholds are yearly wages. Montana's MW-4 sets your filing status and any extra withholding; there are no allowances.

Employers look up your pay for the period in the table for your MW-4 filing status. On a yearly basis, nothing is withheld on the first $16,100 for single filers, $24,150 for heads of household and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly; then 4.7% applies, and 5.65% above $63,600 for single filers. No Montana city or county taxes wages.

Montana generally withholds on the same wages as federal withholding, and deferred compensation and 403(b)-type contributions are exempt, so we let 401(k), Section 125 health insurance, HSA and FSA deductions lower Montana wages too, while we confirm the details.

Things to know about Montana paychecks

Update your MW-4 after 2023. Montana's income tax system changed in 2024, and employees who haven't filed a new MW-4 since 2023 may have too little withheld. (Source: Montana Department of Revenue, Montana Employer and Information Agent Guide with Tax Tables (V4 November 2025; official document, archived copy dated 2026-10-18))
North Dakota residents are exempt. Under a reciprocity agreement, North Dakota residents aren't taxed by Montana on wages earned there; they claim it on MW-4 line 5. (Source: Montana Department of Revenue, Montana Employer and Information Agent Guide with Tax Tables (V4 November 2025; official document, archived copy dated 2026-10-18))
Bonuses at a flat rate. Bonuses paid separately can be withheld at a flat 5% instead of being added to regular wages. (Source: Montana Department of Revenue, Montana Employer and Information Agent Guide with Tax Tables (V4 November 2025; official document, archived copy dated 2026-10-18))

Federal taxes on every paycheck

Every US paycheck has the same three federal deductions, whichever state you work in. Together, Social Security and Medicare are called FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes.

Federal income tax withholding. Withholding is tax your employer takes out of each paycheck and sends to the IRS on your behalf. The amount depends on your pay and your Form W-4, using the IRS method in Publication 15-T. It is an estimate of your yearly tax; you settle the difference when you file your return.
Social Security. 6.2% of your wages, up to the wage base of $184,500 for the year. The wage base is the most pay that Social Security tax applies to.
Medicare. 1.45% of all your wages, with no limit. Once your pay from one employer passes $200,000 in a year, your employer also withholds an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on the amount above it.

Source: IRS Publication 15 (2026), (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide.

Ways to change your paycheck

To change Montana withholding, give your employer a new Form MW-4. The form sets your filing status and any extra amount to withhold each paycheck; employers submit new or updated MW-4s to the Department of Revenue.

The Department of Revenue asks current employees to update their MW-4 every year.

Update your Form W-4. Claiming dependents, checking the Step 2 box or asking for extra withholding changes how much federal tax comes out of each paycheck. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help you fill it in.
Pre-tax deductions. Money you put into a traditional 401(k), an HSA or employer health insurance comes out before federal income tax, so your take-home pay drops by less than the amount you save.
Bonuses. Employers often withhold federal tax on a bonus paid separately at a flat rate. Add a bonus under More options to see it.

Montana payroll rules

Minimum wage: $10.85 an hour in 2026, adjusted each January for inflation. Businesses not covered by federal wage law with yearly sales of $110,000 or less may pay $4.00. (Source: US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026))
Overtime: Time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek. (Source: US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026))
How often you must be paid: If an employer hasn't set a pay period, it's presumed to be twice a month. (Source: US Department of Labor, State Payday Requirements (rev. January 1, 2023))

For employers in Montana

State unemployment tax: Employers pay unemployment tax on the first $47,300 of each employee's wages. New employers pay the average rate for their industry. (Source: US Department of Labor, Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, January 2026)
New hire reporting: Employers must report new hires within 20 days. (Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Child Support Services, State New Hire Reporting Requirements)
State income tax withholding: Employers register with the Montana Department of Revenue, submit employees' MW-4 forms and file returns through the TransAction Portal (TAP). Every new employee completes Form MW-4. (Source: Montana Department of Revenue, Montana Employer and Information Agent Guide with Tax Tables (V4 November 2025; official document, archived copy dated 2026-10-18))

Employers must file Montana Forms W-2 and the MW-3 annual reconciliation each year, and wage withholding payments follow the employer's assigned payment schedule.

Compare Montana with neighboring states

Take-home pay on a $60,000 salary, single filer, paid bi-weekly, no pre-tax deductions
			Per paycheck
South Dakota	$0	$50,390	$1,938.07
Wyoming	$0	$50,390	$1,938.07
North Dakota	$52	$50,338	$1,936.07
Montana	$2,054	$48,336	$1,859.07
Idaho	$2,340	$48,050	$1,848.07

Paycheck calculators for neighboring states: Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming.

Most-searched state paycheck calculators

Montana paycheck FAQ

What are Montana's withholding rates in 2026?

4.7% and 5.65%, after a band of yearly wages ($16,100 for single filers) with nothing withheld.

Does Montana use allowances?

No. Montana withholding depends on the filing status on your MW-4 and any extra amount you request.

Are bonuses taxed more in Montana?

Bonuses paid separately can be withheld at a flat 5%; otherwise they're added to your regular wages for the period.

I live in North Dakota and work in Montana. Is Montana tax withheld?

No, if you claim the reciprocity exemption on MW-4 line 5.

What is the minimum wage in Montana?

$10.85 an hour in 2026.

Is overtime taxed more in Montana?

No. Overtime is taxed at the same rates as your other wages; a larger paycheck can mean more withholding that period.

Sources and methodology

Every rate and limit on this page comes from the official sources below, checked on 2026-11-03. Read how our paycheck calculator works for the calculation order and its limits.