Filing and paying taxes in Texas
- State return
- None. Texas has no individual income tax return.
- Federal return
- Form 1040, due April 15. Federal estimated payments, if you need them, are four equal installments.
- Property tax
- Homestead exemption applications go to your county appraisal district before May 1. Tax bills arrive from October 1 and are due by January 31; penalties and interest start February 1.
To see how Texas sits against every other state on top rate, bracket count and standard deduction, see state income tax rates for 2026 — all 51 jurisdictions in one sortable table.
How Texas Income Tax Compares to Neighboring States
Total income tax (federal + state) on a $100,000 annual salary in 2026, single filer using the standard deduction:
| State | State Tax | Total Income Tax | vs. Texas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas (here) | $0 | $13,170 | — |
| New Mexico | $3,569 | $16,739 | +$3,569 |
| Oklahoma | $3,955 | $17,125 | +$3,955 |
| Arkansas | $3,492 | $16,662 | +$3,492 |
| Louisiana | $2,614 | $15,784 | +$2,614 |
A negative "vs." figure means that state collects less total income tax than Texas. Federal portion is identical across states; only state tax varies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Texas state income tax rate for 2026?
Texas has no state income tax on wages — the rate is 0% across all income levels. Only federal income tax applies, with brackets ranging from 10% to 37% depending on your taxable income.
How much income tax will I pay in Texas on a $100,000 salary?
For a single filer earning $100,000 in Texas in 2026, expect approximately $13,170 in federal income tax — for a total income tax of about $13,170, an effective rate of 13.2%. This excludes FICA (Social Security and Medicare), which adds roughly 7.65% on top.
Can Texas add an income tax in the future?
Not without amending the constitution. Section 24-a of Article 8 has barred a tax on individuals' net incomes since 2019, so an income tax would need a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the legislature and approval by voters.
Does Texas tax Social Security, pensions, or capital gains?
No. Texas has no individual income tax, so none of these are taxed by the state, and a 2025 constitutional amendment separately bans a state capital gains tax. Federal tax still applies.
Do I need to file a Texas state tax return?
No. There is no Texas individual income tax return. You file only your federal return.
How much less income tax do you pay in Texas than in California?
On a $100,000 salary for a single filer in 2026, total income tax is about $13,170 in Texas (all federal) against about $18,225 in California, a difference of $5,055. Property and sales taxes narrow that gap, depending on where you live and whether you own a home.
For the preferential federal rates on long-term gains, see the Capital Gains Tax Calculator. For the federal brackets, standard deduction, and Social Security wage base that sit underneath this state calculation, see 2026 Tax Calculators.