Eight states have no broad individual income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming. In those states, ordinary Social Security, pension and traditional IRA or 401(k) withdrawals generally do not trigger a state income tax. Washington is often grouped with them, but it is covered separately below because it taxes certain capital gains.
Two points shape how that answer should be used. A state with no income tax can still charge sales, property, local and other taxes, so the answer covers one tax, not every tax. And states that do have an income tax frequently exempt some or all retirement income, so a retiree can owe little or no state income tax without moving to one of the eight. Those exemptions are set for a specific tax year and often depend on age or income.
The eight states with no broad income tax
For tax year 2026, these states do not levy a broad individual income tax on wages or the ordinary retirement income most retirees receive:
- Alaska
- Florida
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Wyoming
New Hampshire’s former tax on interest and dividend income ended for tax year 2025, so that income is no longer taxed under it for 2026.
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What “no income tax” leaves out
Retirees comparing these states should weigh the following alongside income tax:
- Sales tax. Six of the eight states levy a statewide sales tax. Alaska and New Hampshire do not, although some Alaska localities levy their own.
- Property tax. New Hampshire has no general sales tax and relies heavily on property taxes, so the property-tax bill on a home there deserves the same scrutiny as the income-tax result.
- Local taxes. City and county levies vary within a state, so two addresses in the same state can produce different totals.
- Estate and inheritance taxes. These are separate from income tax and are not addressed by the eight-state list. Check them if estate planning is part of the move.
Washington and capital gains
Washington has no broad individual income tax, but its capital-gains tax applies to certain long-term gains above an annual standard deduction. Real estate and assets held in retirement accounts are generally excluded, so ordinary IRA or 401(k) withdrawals fall outside it. The threshold can change from year to year, so confirm the current figure with the Washington Department of Revenue before relying on it, especially if you plan to sell a brokerage portfolio after moving.
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How each type of retirement income is treated
Social Security, pensions and account withdrawals are separate questions. A state can exempt one and tax another, so check each category on its own.
Social Security
A 2026 report from the Connecticut Office of Legislative Research, which was reviewed only through a search summary and not its full table, reports that 33 states fully exempt Social Security benefits, seven allow a limited exemption, and one allows no exemption. The summary does not explain how states without an income tax are counted, so treat the figure as a guide and confirm it against the report before quoting it.
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West Virginia is a recent change. According to a 2026 state-by-state overview, which is a secondary summary, Social Security became fully exempt from its state income tax beginning in 2026. Its other retirement income remains under ordinary state rules after applicable deductions.
Pensions
Pension treatment varies more than Social Security treatment. Some states exempt one category, some offer an exclusion limited by age or income, and some exempt only certain public or military pensions. Louisiana’s Department of Revenue, for example, excludes certain federal retirement benefits and benefits from specified state retirement systems. Minnesota House Research’s overview, which uses prior-year rules, shows how states combine deductions, credits and age or income conditions rather than applying a single rule.
Traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals
In states with an income tax, traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals usually fall under general rules unless a retirement-income exclusion applies. Louisiana’s published exclusion is the clearest example of a flat dollar cap, and it carries an age condition. Michigan’s treatment depends on birth year, which is a different kind of threshold.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Age, income and birth-year thresholds
The three states below show the range of conditions. Treat each row as a starting point, since eligibility depends on details the summaries do not fully capture.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware match| State | Social Security | Other retirement income | Conditions | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Federally taxed Social Security excluded | Up to $12,000 of annual retirement income excluded | Age 65 or older; spouses filing jointly may each claim the exclusion if both are 65 or older | Department of Revenue FAQ, undated, checked October 2026 |
| Michigan | Not stated in the Treasury bulletin summary cited here | Deductions set by birth cohort; a secondary 2026 overview describes a major phase-out for many retirement benefits | Birth cohort and other qualifications | Treasury 2026 administrative bulletin; secondary 2026 overview |
| West Virginia | Fully exempt beginning 2026 | Ordinary state rules after applicable deductions | Not stated in the 2026 overview cited here | 2026 state-by-state overview (secondary summary) |
Worked example: the Louisiana cap
Consider a single filer, age 67, with $30,000 of withdrawals and pension payments that count as retirement income under Louisiana’s definition. The exclusion removes up to $12,000, leaving up to $18,000 subject to Louisiana income tax. If the same filer were 64, the age-65 condition would rule out the exclusion under the published rule. Her federally taxed Social Security is handled under its separate exclusion.
Michigan shows why a blanket statement fails. Its deductions depend on birth cohort and other qualifications, so two retirees in the same household can end up with different results. The Treasury bulletin sets out the cohort rules. The secondary 2026 overview describes a major phase-out for many retirement benefits, but the outcome depends on the category of income and the filer’s eligibility.
Quick Recap
Tax year and move timing
- Use the rules for the tax year in which you become a resident. A 2026 rule does not carry into 2027 automatically, and scheduled phase-ins or phase-outs can change the amount.
- A mid-year move generally creates a part-year residency, which can split your income between two states’ rules.
- Residency is decided under each state’s own tests. Keeping a home, a driver’s license or substantial ties in a former state can keep you taxable there.
How to check a specific state
- Confirm the state has no broad income tax for the tax year in which you will be a resident.
- Sort your income into Social Security, pensions by source, traditional IRA and 401(k) withdrawals, and investment income.
- For each category, check whether the state exempts it and whether the exemption depends on age, income, birth year, filing status or pension source.
- Add sales, property, local and estate taxes to the comparison.
- Confirm the result with the state revenue department or a qualified tax professional, particularly for a mid-year move or a complex mix of income.
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