2026 Federal & State Tax Rates for Truck Drivers

Understanding how taxes affect your paycheck is essential for every freight driver. Here are the current federal and state tax rates that determine your take-home pay in 2026.

FICA Taxes (Everyone Pays These)

FICA taxes are flat-rate and apply to every paycheck:

• Social Security (OASDI): 6.2% on earnings up to $176,100
• Medicare: 1.45% on all earnings (no cap)
• Additional Medicare: 0.9% on earnings over $200,000 (single)
• Total FICA: 7.65% for most drivers

2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets (Single Filer)

Most freight drivers fall in the 12% or 22% bracket. Remember, these are marginal rates — you only pay the higher rate on income above each threshold, not on all your income.

States with NO Income Tax

If you live in one of these states, you keep more of your paycheck:

• Alaska
• Florida
• Nevada
• New Hampshire (no tax on wages)
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Washington
• Wyoming

States with Flat Income Tax

These states tax all income at the same rate:

How This Affects Your Weekly Pay

Let's say you earn $1,400/week gross as a freight driver:

• FICA: $1,400 × 7.65% = $107.10
• Federal tax: ~$140-170 (depends on W-4 elections)
• State tax (if applicable): $0-70 depending on state
• Pre-tax deductions: Varies (401k, health insurance)
• Estimated take-home: $1,000-1,150/week

Deductions That Lower Your Tax Bill

• 401(k) contributions — Reduce taxable income dollar for dollar
• Health insurance premiums — Pre-tax if through employer
• HSA contributions — Triple tax advantage (deductible, grows tax-free, tax-free withdrawals for medical)
• Standard deduction: $15,000 for single, $30,000 for married filing jointly (2026)

Note: Tax rates are subject to change. Consult a tax professional for advice specific to your situation. Rates shown are approximate and may not reflect the most recent legislative changes.