States That Tax Social Security in 2026: Only 8 Left
42 states and D.C. don't tax your benefits at all — and West Virginia just joined them. Here's the 2026 map, plus the income limits that mean most retirees owe nothing even in the taxing states.
The short answer
In 2026, only eight states tax Social Security benefits for at least some residents: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont. The other 42 states and Washington, D.C. leave benefits completely untouched. The list keeps shrinking:West Virginia completed its phase-out with tax year 2026, after Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska dropped their taxes in earlier years — so if you read an article that says nine (or eleven) states, it's out of date.
Find your state on the map
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The 8 states that tax Social Security (2026)
Being on this list doesn't mean you'll owe tax — every one of these states shields lower- and middle-income retirees with exemptions, deductions, or credits. What each state actually does:
| State | Who actually pays |
|---|---|
| Colorado | Recipients 55 and older can generally deduct all of their federally taxed Social Security, so most beneficiaries owe nothing. Younger recipients get a capped deduction. |
| Connecticut | Fully exempt below about $75,000 AGI (single) / $100,000 (joint). Above that, at most 25% of benefits can be taxed. |
| Minnesota | Fully exempt below roughly $85,000 AGI (single) / $110,000 (joint), adjusted annually. Higher incomes follow the federal taxable portion. |
| Montana | Follows the federal taxable portion with only a modest subtraction for residents 65+, so many retirees with other income owe some state tax. |
| New Mexico | Fully exempt up to $100,000 AGI (single) / $150,000 (joint) — most beneficiaries pay nothing. |
| Rhode Island | Exempt for residents at full retirement age with income below state thresholds (roughly $104,000 single / $130,000 joint). |
| Utah | Uses the federal taxable portion but offers an income-based credit that erases the tax for most low- and middle-income retirees. |
| Vermont | Fully exempt for lower incomes (roughly mid-$50,000s single / low-$70,000s joint), with a partial exemption just above those levels. |
Thresholds are approximate, adjusted annually by each state, and depend on your filing status — confirm the current figures with your state's revenue department before making decisions.
States with no income tax at all
Nine states don't just exempt Social Security — they have no personal income tax whatsoever: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming. In those states, your benefits, pension withdrawals, and other income all escape state income tax.
Two things people mix up
- Federal taxes still apply everywhere. Regardless of your state, up to 85% of your Social Security can be federally taxable depending on your combined income. Moving states never changes the federal layer.
- SSI is never taxed. Supplemental Security Income is exempt from federal and state taxation in every state. If SSI is your benefit, this whole topic doesn't affect your check — though your state may add money on top; see the SSI amounts by state guide.
Thinking of moving?
State tax on benefits is only one line of the ledger. A state that taxes Social Security lightly may have lower property or sales taxes than a "no-tax" state — and if you receive SSI, moving can also change your state supplement. What never changes when you move is your payment date: the calendar is federal, based on your birth date, wherever you live. Check the full 2026 payment schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Which states tax Social Security benefits in 2026?
Only eight states tax Social Security in 2026: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont. The other 42 states and Washington, D.C. don't touch benefits at all — and even in the eight taxing states, income-based exemptions mean most low- and middle-income retirees owe nothing.
Did West Virginia stop taxing Social Security?
Yes. West Virginia completed its three-year phase-out with tax year 2026: benefits are now 100% exempt for all residents regardless of income. That's why older articles still say nine states — for 2026, the correct number is eight.
Does the federal government still tax Social Security?
Yes — state and federal taxes are separate. Depending on your combined income, up to 85% of your benefits can be federally taxable no matter which state you live in. Living in a state that doesn't tax benefits only removes the state layer.
Is SSI taxed?
No. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is not taxable at the federal or state level, anywhere in the country. The state taxes discussed here apply to Social Security retirement, survivors, and disability (SSDI) benefits.
Will I owe state tax if I live in one of the eight taxing states?
Often not. Every one of the eight states has income-based exemptions, deductions, or credits — for example, New Mexico fully exempts benefits below $100,000 of income (single), and Colorado lets recipients 55 and older deduct essentially all of it. Whether you owe depends on your total income, not just on living there.
Should I move to avoid state taxes on Social Security?
For most people it's not worth moving over this tax alone: the income-based exemptions mean typical beneficiaries owe little or nothing even in the taxing states. Consider the whole picture — property taxes, sales taxes, cost of living, and any state supplement you'd gain or lose.
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