Get the app that makes your AARP membership truly mobile!

Content starts here

AARP State Tax Guides: What You’ll Owe in the 2026 Tax Season

Find out about tax breaks, sales tax and whether your state taxes Social Security

Maura Kelly Lannan,

Updated March 18, 2026

AARP

Updated March 18, 2026

a map of the united states over a tax form

AARP (Getty Images)

Tax season is in full swing as Americans work to complete their tax filings by April.

Tax policies vary widely among states. AARP’s tax guides provide information on the taxes charged and collected in your state. These guides can help you determine your tax bracket, what you’ll pay in taxes and what tax breaks are available to you.

More Ways to Benefit

View All

Related Benefit 1
Related Benefit 2
Related Benefit 3
Related Benefit 4
Related Benefit 5

For example, some states have graduated individual income tax levels with many tax brackets, others have a flat income tax that everyone pays and a handful of states don’t tax individual income at all. Differing sales tax rates are common, but some states don’t level any sales taxes.

Most states do not tax Social Security benefits, but some do. When it comes to estate and inheritance, taxes also vary widely from state to state. The same goes for tax rates on gas, lottery winnings and alcohol.

Find Your State's Tax Guide

Learn more about your state’s tax policies and tax breaks. Check back for updates and new guides.

Many states do offer tax breaks to older adults. Some provide income or property tax breaks, others give tax breaks to retired military. Some states offer property tax breaks to residents of all ages.

Estimate Your Taxes

AARP’s tax calculator can help you predict what you’re likely to pay the IRS.

AARP’s state guides outline what the income tax, sales tax and other tax rates are in your state; how income taxes and property taxes are calculated; if income from pensions, retirement accounts or Social Security benefits is taxed; if your state has inheritance or estate tax; if military benefits are taxed; and what tax breaks are available. These guides also include important tax filing deadlines and links to tax resources.

Maura Kelly Lannan is a writer, editor and producer for AARP who covers federal and state policy. She has worked as a reporter for the Associated Press, the Chicago Tribune and the Waterbury, Connecticut, Republican-American. She also has written for Bloomberg Government, The Boston Globe and other publications.