State Income Tax

Income Tax in Virginia: Complete Guide 2026

Updated 2026-03-10

Data Notice: Figures, rates, and statistics cited in this article are based on the most recent available data at time of writing and may reflect projections or prior-year figures. Always verify current numbers with official sources before making financial, medical, or educational decisions.

Income Tax in Virginia: Complete Guide 2026

Tax information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a licensed tax professional for your specific situation.

Virginia imposes a graduated income tax with four brackets, with rates ranging from ~2.00% to ~5.75%. The top rate applies to taxable income over ~$17,001, which means the vast majority of working Virginians effectively pay a top marginal rate of ~5.75%. Virginia’s system has remained remarkably stable over the decades, with the same bracket structure in place since the 1970s. The Commonwealth does not levy local income taxes, though some localities assess personal property taxes that function similarly.

Virginia Income Tax Rates (2026)

All Filing Statuses

Taxable IncomeRate
$0 — ~$3,000~2.00%
~$3,001 — ~$5,000~3.00%
~$5,001 — ~$17,000~5.00%
Over ~$17,000~5.75%

Virginia uses the same brackets for all filing statuses — single, married filing jointly, and head of household. There is no separate bracket schedule for joint filers, which effectively creates a marriage penalty for some couples.

How Virginia Income Tax Works

Starting with Federal AGI

Virginia taxable income begins with your federal adjusted gross income. From there, Virginia applies its own additions, subtractions, and deductions to arrive at Virginia taxable income.

Standard Deduction and Personal Exemptions

Virginia offers both a standard deduction and personal exemptions:

ComponentAmount
Standard deduction (single)~$8,000
Standard deduction (married jointly)~$16,000
Personal exemption (per person)~$930
Dependent exemption (per dependent)~$930
Age 65+ additional exemption~$800
Blind additional exemption~$800

Unlike most states, Virginia allows both the standard deduction and personal exemptions simultaneously, which provides meaningful tax relief at the lower end of the income scale.

Itemized Deductions

If you choose to itemize, Virginia generally conforms to federal itemization rules with the following key differences:

  • State and local taxes (SALT): You cannot deduct Virginia income taxes paid on your Virginia return
  • Mortgage interest: Deductible following federal rules
  • Charitable contributions: Deductible following federal rules
  • Medical expenses: Deductible for the amount exceeding ~7.50% of federal AGI

Retirement Income Subtraction

Virginia offers an age deduction for taxpayers age 65 and older. For 2026, qualifying seniors can subtract up to ~$12,000 of income from any source, subject to an income-based phase-out. The phase-out begins when federal AGI exceeds ~$75,000 and is reduced by ~$1 for every ~$1 of AGI over that threshold. Social Security benefits that are taxable at the federal level are included in Virginia AGI but may be partially offset by the age deduction.

Key Virginia Tax Credits

  1. Earned Income Credit: Virginia offers a refundable earned income credit equal to ~20% of the federal EITC.
  2. Child and Dependent Care Credit: A credit for qualifying childcare expenses for working parents.
  3. Low-Income Individuals Credit: Taxpayers with federal AGI at or below the federal poverty level pay no Virginia income tax.
  4. Land Preservation Credit: A credit of up to ~40% of the fair market value of donated land or conservation easements.
  5. Historic Rehabilitation Credit: ~25% of qualifying rehabilitation expenditures for certified historic structures.
  6. Virginia 529 Plan Deduction: Contributions to Virginia529 accounts are deductible up to ~$4,000 per account per year, with unlimited carryforward of excess amounts.

Who Must File in Virginia

You must file a Virginia income tax return (Form 760) if:

  • You are a Virginia resident with income exceeding the filing threshold (~$11,950 for single filers under 65)
  • You are a part-year resident with Virginia-source income (Form 760PY)
  • You are a nonresident with Virginia-source income (Form 763)
  • You want to claim a refund of Virginia withholding

The filing deadline is May 1 in Virginia, which is later than most states.

Comparison to National Average

StateTop Income Tax RateTop Bracket Threshold (Single)
Virginia~5.75%~$17,001
Maryland~5.75%~$250,000
North Carolina~4.50%Flat
West Virginia~5.12%~$60,000
D.C.~10.75%~$1,000,000
National average~4.60%Varies

Virginia’s top rate is above the national average, and its low threshold means nearly all workers face the ~5.75% rate. Neighboring North Carolina’s flat rate of ~4.50% is lower, while D.C.’s top rate is much higher but only kicks in at ~$1,000,000.

Tips for Minimizing Virginia Income Tax

  1. Maximize Virginia 529 contributions. The ~$4,000 per-account deduction with unlimited carryforward makes this one of the most flexible 529 deductions in the nation.

  2. Claim the state EITC. Virginia’s ~20% match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit is refundable, meaning you can receive a payment even if you owe no tax.

  3. Use the age deduction. Seniors should calculate whether the ~$12,000 subtraction applies before the income-based phase-out eliminates it.

  4. Combine the standard deduction with personal exemptions. Virginia allows both simultaneously, which many filers do not realize.

  5. Contribute to retirement accounts. Reducing federal AGI through traditional 401(k) and IRA contributions directly lowers Virginia taxable income.

  6. File by May 1. Virginia’s later filing deadline gives you extra time compared to most states.

  7. Consider land or historic preservation credits. These are among Virginia’s most generous credit programs for eligible property owners.

Key Takeaways

  • Virginia’s four income tax brackets range from ~2.00% to ~5.75%, with the top rate applying above ~$17,001.
  • The same bracket structure applies to all filing statuses.
  • Both the standard deduction and personal exemptions (~$930 each) can be claimed together.
  • The Virginia EITC at ~20% of the federal credit is refundable.
  • Seniors age 65+ can subtract up to ~$12,000 from income, subject to a phase-out above ~$75,000 AGI.
  • Virginia’s filing deadline is May 1, not April 15.

Next Steps