How many states tax Social Security benefits in 2026?

Eight: Colorado, Connecticut, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Utah, and Vermont. All eight exempt large groups of retirees through income thresholds, age rules, or credits, so most residents of those states pay little or nothing on their benefits.

Did West Virginia stop taxing Social Security?

Yes. West Virginia phased its tax out over three years — a 35% deduction in 2024, 65% in 2025, and a full 100% deduction starting with tax year 2026 — making it the newest state to fully exempt Social Security benefits.

If my state doesn’t tax Social Security, do I still owe federal tax on it?

Possibly. Federal taxation works the same in every state: depending on your combined income, up to 85% of your benefits can be federally taxable, though a temporary senior deduction (through 2028) shields many retirees. State and federal rules are entirely separate.

Should I move to a state that doesn’t tax Social Security?

Not on this factor alone. States without a Social Security tax often make it up through higher property, sales, or pension taxes. Compare the full tax picture and cost of living — for most retirees, the federal rules and overall state tax burden matter more than this one line item.

Which states recently stopped taxing Social Security?

West Virginia completed its phase-out for tax year 2026, and Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas all eliminated their taxes within the last few years. No state has added a Social Security tax in decades — the list keeps shrinking.

Which States Tax Social Security in 2026? Just 8 Left

Only 8 states tax Social Security benefits for 2026 — and every one exempts large groups of retirees. West Virginia's tax ended January 1, completing its phase-out. Here's the state-by-state map, plus the two caveats that matter more than the headline.

For tax year 2026, just 8 states tax Social Security benefits at all — and even in those, generous income exemptions mean most retirees pay little or nothing. The other 42 states and Washington, D.C. don't touch Social Security, and the taxing club keeps shrinking: West Virginia's tax ended January 1, 2026, completing a three-year phase-out. Here's the current map, state by state — and the two caveats that matter more than the headline.

The 8 states that still tax benefits in 2026

Every one of them exempts large groups of retirees. The thresholds below are the rough cutoffs — each state's rules have details worth checking before you file:

State	Who generally escapes the tax
Colorado	65+ can deduct benefits fully; ages 55–64 exempt with income up to $75,000 (single) / $95,000 (joint)
Connecticut	Exempt below $75,000 (single) / $100,000 (joint); above that, no more than 25% of benefits can be taxed
Minnesota	Exempt with income up to $84,490 (single) / $108,320 (joint) — about 71% of beneficiaries pay nothing
Montana	Follows federal-style thresholds: taxation starts above $25,000 (single) / $32,000 (joint)
New Mexico	Exempt below $100,000 (single) / $150,000 (joint) — about 86% of seniors pay nothing
Rhode Island	Exempt at full retirement age with income below about $107,000 (single)
Utah	Credit shields benefits below $54,000 (single) / $90,000 (joint) — thresholds recently expanded
Vermont	Exempt below $55,000 (single), partial exemption up to $70,000 — recently expanded

West Virginia is the newest state to leave the list: it let retirees deduct 35% of benefits in 2024, 65% in 2025, and 100% starting with tax year 2026.

Caveat 1: federal taxes apply everywhere

Moving to a no-tax state doesn't make Social Security tax-free. Federal taxation of benefits works the same in all 50 states — up to 85% of your benefit can be taxable depending on your combined income, though the new senior deduction (through 2028) shields many retirees. Our guide to how Social Security is taxed walks through the federal thresholds, which for many retirees matter far more than the state rules.

Caveat 2: don't move over this one line item

States that skip Social Security taxes often collect revenue elsewhere — higher property taxes, sales taxes, or taxes on pensions and retirement-account withdrawals. A state that taxes a small slice of your Social Security but exempts your pension could still be cheaper overall than one that does the reverse. Compare the whole tax picture (and the cost of living) before letting this single factor drive a relocation.

The trend is one-directional

No state has added a Social Security tax in decades, and the list keeps shrinking — Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas all dropped theirs within the last few years, West Virginia just finished its exit, and several of the remaining 8 (Utah and Vermont among them) have been steadily raising exemption thresholds. If the pattern holds, the taxing club will likely get smaller still.

What it means for you

If you live in one of the 42 no-tax states, your state return simply ignores your benefits. If you're in one of the 8, check the exemption thresholds above — odds are good you qualify to pay little or nothing, especially at typical benefit levels. Either way, the federal rules are the bigger lever: see how benefits are taxed federally, keep this year's key numbers handy with our cheat sheet, and estimate your benefit at different claiming ages with our free benefits calculator.

This article is general educational information, not tax advice. State rules and thresholds are as reported for tax year 2026 and can change with new legislation — confirm details with your state's revenue department or a tax professional before filing. SocialSecurityNews.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Social Security Administration or any state agency.