Why are tax rates increasing in 2026?
Taxpayers likely see such an "increase" because of paycheck withholding changes & a move or higher earnings — not a new tax law.
Are tax rates really higher in 2026?
No — New York State obtains a graduated rate schedule approach. The highest rate is still 10.9%. Residents of NYC add a city tax on top of the state amount.
Which year’s income is being taxed when you file in 2026?
Taxpayers file in early 2026 for income earned in 2025. The "2026 rates" are actually referring to the tax return submitted in 2026.
Why did the tax taken out of my paycheck jump in January 2026?
New York updated the withholding tables for paychecks paid on or after January 1, 2026. This varies the calculation on the stub — even if the salary stayed the same.
Withholding goes up if:
- IT-2104 is old — new job & marriage or side income
- You received a bonus & commission or equity payout
- Income grew enough to pass a higher bracket — only the money in the range gets taxed at the higher rate
Why does living in NYC make the change feel bigger?
Living in NYC adds a city tax layer. Rates range from 3.078% to 3.876% varying with how much you earn.
Can federal updates make 2026 feel more expensive too?
Yes — the IRS adjusts thresholds for inflation & updates withholding rules. It simply changes how much comes out of the 2026 wages.
How do you find what was changed?
The 3 things below should be checked in order to find the cause:
- Match a late-2025 pay stub to a 2026 stub — look at "taxable wages" & "state/local tax"
- Review the Form W-4 & NY Form IT-2104 — match the totals
- Add up expected non-wage income — freelance & interest & capital gains — in order to see whether taxes taken out are missing part of the scenario
Fast “clue” table
Dimov NYC CPA can review before it turns into a surprise
Reach out to us for a paycheck & residency review. Our team will look at the pay data & income mix and present professional assistance accordingly.