Which States Tax Social Security?
Only eight in 2026, and most retirees in them pay nothing.
Check your own state
Eight states tax benefits and 42 do not. Pick yours for the specific answer.
- Does Alabama tax Social Security?
- Does Alaska tax Social Security?
- Does Arizona tax Social Security?
- Does Arkansas tax Social Security?
- Does California tax Social Security?
- Does Colorado tax Social Security? Yes
- Does Connecticut tax Social Security? Yes
- Does Delaware tax Social Security?
- Does Florida tax Social Security?
- Does Georgia tax Social Security?
- Does Hawaii tax Social Security?
- Does Idaho tax Social Security?
- Does Illinois tax Social Security?
- Does Indiana tax Social Security?
- Does Iowa tax Social Security?
- Does Kansas tax Social Security?
- Does Kentucky tax Social Security?
- Does Louisiana tax Social Security?
- Does Maine tax Social Security?
- Does Maryland tax Social Security?
- Does Massachusetts tax Social Security?
- Does Michigan tax Social Security?
- Does Minnesota tax Social Security? Yes
- Does Mississippi tax Social Security?
- Does Missouri tax Social Security?
- Does Montana tax Social Security? Yes
- Does Nebraska tax Social Security?
- Does Nevada tax Social Security?
- Does New Hampshire tax Social Security?
- Does New Jersey tax Social Security?
- Does New Mexico tax Social Security? Yes
- Does New York tax Social Security?
- Does North Carolina tax Social Security?
- Does North Dakota tax Social Security?
- Does Ohio tax Social Security?
- Does Oklahoma tax Social Security?
- Does Oregon tax Social Security?
- Does Pennsylvania tax Social Security?
- Does Rhode Island tax Social Security? Yes
- Does South Carolina tax Social Security?
- Does South Dakota tax Social Security?
- Does Tennessee tax Social Security?
- Does Texas tax Social Security?
- Does Utah tax Social Security? Yes
- Does Vermont tax Social Security? Yes
- Does Virginia tax Social Security?
- Does Washington tax Social Security?
- Does West Virginia tax Social Security?
- Does Wisconsin tax Social Security?
- Does Wyoming tax Social Security?
Verdict: eight states tax Social Security benefits in 2026, and every one of them exempts lower and middle incomes to some degree. Most retirees in those states pay no state tax on benefits at all. Federal tax is the one far more people actually pay.
The eight
Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont. Everywhere else, benefits are not taxed by the state, either because the state exempts them or because it has no income tax at all.
Be careful with older articles. This list has shrunk fast, and much of what is published still says nine, twelve or thirteen states.
What changed recently
West Virginia finished phasing out its tax on benefits, so from the 2026 tax year it no longer taxes them. Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska all repealed in 2024. The direction of travel has been one way for several years.
Being on the list does not mean you pay
This is where headline lists mislead. Every one of the eight has thresholds, deductions or credits.
Colorado lets residents 65 and over deduct their federally taxable benefits. Connecticut, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont exempt benefits below income thresholds that cover most retirees. Utah offers a credit that phases out as income rises. Minnesota has a subtraction that removes the tax for most people. Montana follows the federal treatment most closely.
A retiree living on benefits alone typically owes nothing in any of the eight. The tax generally bites when substantial other income sits alongside the benefits.
Federal tax is the bigger story
State tax gets the attention, but federal tax reaches far more people. Depending on your provisional income, which is your other income plus half your benefits, up to 85% of your benefits can be subject to federal income tax. That applies in all fifty states.
If you are choosing where to retire on tax grounds, the state treatment of Social Security is usually a smaller factor than property taxes, sales taxes and the general cost of living. Our sister site Best Life Index compares those state by state.
Do not move for this alone
Eight states, most of which will not tax you anyway, is a thin reason to relocate. Housing costs, healthcare access, and being near family will affect your retirement far more than a benefits exemption you may never have needed.
Frequently asked questions
Eight: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont. The other 42 do not tax benefits at all.
No. West Virginia completed its phase-out, so from the 2026 tax year benefits are no longer taxed there.
Often not. Every one of the eight has income thresholds, deductions or credits, and a retiree living mainly on benefits typically owes nothing. The tax usually applies when significant other income sits alongside.
It can be, in every state. Depending on your provisional income, up to 85% of your benefits may be subject to federal income tax. Far more people pay this than pay any state tax on benefits.