New York's tax brackets and rates for 2024
New York has nine tax brackets that range from 4% to 10.9%, depending on your income level and filing status. The rate you pay is not a flat percentage of your total income — instead, you pay the lowest rate on your first dollars earned, then move into higher brackets as your income increases. This means that even if you fall into the 10.9% bracket, you do not pay that rate on every dollar.
For single filers in 2024, the brackets are: 4% on income up to $11,000; 4.5% from $11,000 to $13,000; 5.85% from $13,000 to $21,400; 6.25% from $21,400 to $80,650; 6.85% from $80,650 to $215,400; 9.65% from $215,400 to $1,077,550; and 10.9% on income over $1,077,550. Married couples filing jointly have wider brackets at each step, so your exact rate depends on both your income and your filing status.
New York adjusts these brackets each year for inflation, so the income thresholds change annually. If you earned the same amount last year and this year, your tax rate may shift slightly because the brackets moved.
Key Takeaways
- New York uses nine progressive tax brackets ranging from 4% to 10.9%, meaning you pay different rates on different portions of your income.
- The brackets adjust every year for inflation, so the income thresholds that determine your rate change annually.
- Your filing status — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household — determines which bracket schedule applies to you.
- You can find the current year's brackets on the New York Department of Taxation and Finance website, which publishes them before tax season each year.
How to find your specific tax rate
To find the rate that applies to your income, you need to know your filing status and your total taxable income for the year. Taxable income is not the same as gross income — it is what remains after you subtract deductions and personal exemptions. Most people use either the standard deduction (a flat amount based on filing status) or itemized deductions (specific expenses you list out).
Once you have your taxable income and filing status, you can locate the correct bracket table on the New York Department of Taxation and Finance website. The tables are organized by filing status, and each one shows the income ranges and the corresponding tax rate. You then apply the rate to the portion of your income that falls within that bracket.
If you use tax software or file with a tax preparer, they calculate this automatically. If you are doing it by hand, the tax tables walk you through the math step by step.
The difference between your marginal rate and your effective rate
Your marginal tax rate is the rate you pay on your last dollar of income — the highest bracket you reach. Your effective tax rate is the average rate you pay on all your income combined. These are almost never the same number, and understanding the difference matters when you are making financial decisions.
For example, a single filer with $100,000 in taxable income in 2024 falls into the 6.85% bracket. That is their marginal rate. But they do not pay 6.85% on all $100,000. They pay 4% on the first $11,000, then 4.5% on the next $2,000, and so on through each bracket. When you add up the tax owed across all brackets and divide by total income, the result is roughly 5.5% — their effective rate.
This matters because earning an extra $1,000 is taxed at your marginal rate (6.85% in this example), not your effective rate. But your overall tax burden is determined by your effective rate.
New York City and Yonkers local income taxes
If you live or work in New York City, you owe an additional city income tax on top of the state tax. The city tax ranges from 3.876% to 3.876% depending on income, with rates that mirror the state brackets but are lower. Yonkers also has a local income tax of 1.25% to 1.5% depending on income.
These local taxes are separate from the state tax and are calculated the same way — using progressive brackets. If you live in New York City, your total tax burden includes state tax plus city tax. If you live elsewhere in New York State, you pay only the state tax (unless your municipality has its own local tax, which is rare outside New York City and Yonkers).
Your employer's payroll system should already account for these taxes if you live in a taxing jurisdiction. If you are self-employed or have income that is not subject to withholding, you need to estimate and pay these taxes yourself throughout the year.
How the tax brackets changed in recent years
New York expanded its top tax brackets in 2021, adding new rates above the previous maximum. Before that change, the highest rate was 8.82%. The new brackets at 9.65% and 10.9% apply only to very high earners — those with income over $215,400 for single filers and $323,200 for married couples filing jointly.
The state also adjusted the brackets downward for lower and middle-income earners in some years and upward in others, depending on inflation and legislative changes. Because the brackets move every year, your tax bill can change even if your income stays the same.
If you are comparing your tax from one year to the next, remember that the brackets themselves shifted. The New York Department of Taxation and Finance publishes a new tax table each year, usually in late fall, so you can see exactly how the brackets changed.
What counts as New York taxable income
New York taxes most income you earn, including wages, self-employment income, interest, dividends, and capital gains. However, some types of income are exempt. For example, Social Security benefits are not taxed by New York, and certain retirement income may be partially or fully exempt depending on your age and total income.
If you receive income from outside New York State, you may still owe New York tax on it if you are a resident. Non-residents owe tax only on income earned within New York. The definition of residency for tax purposes is specific — generally, you are a resident if you maintain a permanent home in New York and spend more than 183 days there in the tax year, or if you are domiciled there.
Deductions and credits can reduce your taxable income or your tax bill directly. The standard deduction for 2024 is $8,000 for single filers and $16,050 for married couples filing jointly. You can also claim personal exemptions and various credits depending on your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York income tax higher than other states?
New York's top rate of 10.9% is among the highest in the country, though a few states have higher rates. However, most New Yorkers do not pay the top rate — it applies only to income over $1 million for single filers. For middle-income earners, New York's effective rate is comparable to many other high-tax states.
Do I have to pay New York tax if I work in New York but live in another state?
Yes, you owe New York tax on income you earn in New York, even if you live elsewhere. However, you may be able to claim a credit on your home state's return to avoid double taxation. The rules vary by state, so check with your tax preparer or your home state's tax agency.
What is the difference between the standard deduction and personal exemptions?
The standard deduction is a flat amount you subtract from your gross income before calculating tax. Personal exemptions are additional deductions you can claim for yourself and your dependents. New York allows both, so you reduce your taxable income by the standard deduction plus any personal exemptions you are may have access to to claim.
Do I owe New York tax on retirement income?
It depends on the type of retirement income. Social Security is not taxed. Distributions from traditional IRAs and 401(k)s are taxed as ordinary income. Distributions from Roth IRAs are generally not taxed. Pension income may be partially exempt if you meet certain age and income requirements. Check the New York Department of Taxation and Finance website for the current rules on your specific type of income.
When do the tax brackets change each year?
New York publishes updated tax brackets in late fall, usually in November or December, for the following tax year. The brackets are adjusted for inflation based on a federal index. You can find the current brackets on the New York Department of Taxation and Finance website.