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The Rhode Island Paycheck Calculator estimates your take-home pay after federal income taxes, Rhode Island state income tax, Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI), and FICA contributions. Rhode Island uses a graduated income tax system with three brackets: 3.75%, 4.75%, and 5.99%. A distinctive feature of Rhode Island paychecks is the mandatory TDI contribution of 1.1% on wages up to approximately $87,000, which funds the state's temporary disability benefits program. This additional payroll deduction makes Rhode Island paychecks somewhat more complex than typical three-bracket states. Rhode Island's tax system is administered by the Rhode Island Division of Taxation. The state provides a standard deduction that matches the federal amounts ($14,600 single, $29,200 MFJ for 2024) and offers personal exemptions. Rhode Island also has an alternative flat tax option of 6% for certain high-income filers, though most taxpayers use the graduated bracket system. The TDI program provides wage replacement for workers who cannot work due to non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy, and it is funded entirely by employee contributions. Compared to neighboring states, Rhode Island is moderately taxed. Massachusetts charges a flat 5% (plus 4% surtax on income over $1 million), Connecticut has rates up to 6.99%, and New York ranges up to 10.9%. Rhode Island's top rate of 5.99% is lower than all three neighbors. However, the additional 1.1% TDI contribution pushes the total state-level payroll burden closer to 7% for many workers. New Hampshire has no income tax on wages. For a worker earning $80,000, Rhode Island's combined state tax plus TDI is approximately $4,200, compared to Massachusetts's $4,000 (flat 5%), Connecticut's $4,500, and New Hampshire's $0. This calculator serves workers throughout Rhode Island, from the healthcare and education professionals in Providence, to the defense and technology workers at Naval Station Newport and the state's growing innovation economy, to the hospitality workers in Newport and Narragansett's tourism industry.
Net Pay = Gross Pay - Federal Tax - RI State Tax (3.75-5.99%) - RI TDI (1.1%) - FICA - Pre-Tax Deductions RI State Tax Brackets (2024, Single): $0 - $73,450: 3.75% $73,451 - $166,950: 4.75% $166,951+: 5.99% RI TDI (Temporary Disability Insurance): 1.1% on wages up to ~$87,000 No Local Income Taxes FICA: 6.2% SS (up to $168,600) + 1.45% Medicare + 0.9% Additional Medicare over $200,000
- 1Enter your gross pay amount and select your pay frequency. Rhode Island employers use standard pay schedules. Your gross pay includes base salary, overtime, bonuses, commissions, and taxable fringe benefits. Rhode Island's minimum wage is $14.00 per hour as of 2024. Include all forms of taxable compensation for an accurate calculation.
- 2The calculator determines federal income tax withholding based on your W-4 form elections. Pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and HSA contributions reduce both federal and Rhode Island taxable income. Rhode Island conforms to federal adjusted gross income as the starting point and applies the federal standard deduction amounts.
- 3Rhode Island state income tax is calculated using three brackets. For single filers, the first $73,450 of taxable income is taxed at 3.75%, income from $73,451 to $166,950 at 4.75%, and income above $166,950 at 5.99%. The state provides personal exemptions of $4,700 per person. Rhode Island also offers various credits including an earned income tax credit equal to 15% of the federal EITC.
- 4The calculator deducts Rhode Island's Temporary Disability Insurance contribution at 1.1% of wages up to approximately $87,000. This mandatory payroll tax funds the state's TDI program, which provides wage replacement (up to 30 weeks) for workers unable to work due to non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. The TDI contribution stops once your cumulative wages reach the annual cap, resulting in slightly higher take-home pay in later pay periods for workers above that threshold.
- 5FICA taxes are calculated at standard federal rates. Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to $168,600, Medicare at 1.45% on all wages, plus the additional 0.9% Medicare tax on wages over $200,000.
- 6There are no local income taxes in Rhode Island. No city, town, or municipality levies any form of income tax on workers. The only state-level paycheck deductions are the income tax and TDI.
- 7The calculator produces your net take-home pay after all deductions. For a typical RI worker earning $70,000 filing single, the state tax is approximately $2,150, TDI is approximately $770, and FICA is approximately $5,355. Combined with federal tax, the total mandatory deduction is approximately 27-30% of gross pay.
Gross biweekly pay is $2,769.23. Pre-tax 401(k) at 5% equals $138.46. Federal taxable income: $53,800. Federal tax: approximately $260 per period. RI state tax on $53,700 (after deductions): approximately $2,014 annually or $77.46 per period (mostly at 3.75%). TDI: $30.46 (1.1% of gross). FICA: $171.69 (SS) plus $40.15 (Medicare) equals $211.84. Total deductions: approximately $718.22. Net pay: approximately $2,051.01.
Gross biweekly pay is $3,653.85. Pre-tax 401(k) at 8% equals $292.31. Federal taxable income after 401(k) and MFJ deduction: $58,200. Federal tax after child credits: approximately $180 per period. RI state tax on $58,200: approximately $2,183 annually or $83.96 per period. TDI: $40.19 (1.1%). FICA: $226.54 (SS) plus $52.98 (Medicare) equals $279.52. Total deductions: approximately $875.98. Net pay: approximately $2,777.87.
Gross weekly pay is $673.08. Federal tax: approximately $43 per week. RI state tax on $15,700 (after deductions): approximately $589 annually or $11.33 per week (at 3.75%). TDI: $7.40 (1.1%). FICA: $41.73 (SS) plus $9.76 (Medicare) equals $51.49. Total deductions: approximately $113.22. Net pay: approximately $559.86.
Healthcare workers at major Providence hospitals (Lifespan, Care New England, Brown University Health) use this calculator to understand their paycheck deductions including the TDI contribution unique to Rhode Island. Healthcare is the state's largest employment sector, and understanding the combined impact of state income tax plus TDI helps workers budget accurately.
Defense and technology workers at Naval Station Newport, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and the growing defense technology sector in Rhode Island use the calculator for financial planning. Many defense workers relocated from other states and are unfamiliar with Rhode Island's TDI contribution. The calculator helps them understand the additional 1.1% payroll deduction they did not face in their previous state.
Tourism and hospitality workers in Newport, Narragansett, Block Island, and Providence use the calculator during the busy summer season when overtime and tip income significantly increase their gross pay. Rhode Island's tourism industry generates substantial seasonal employment, and workers need to understand how additional income is taxed at both the federal and state level, including the TDI contribution.
University and college employees at Brown University, URI, RISD, Providence College, and other institutions use the calculator to evaluate their compensation packages. Rhode Island's concentration of higher education institutions employs a significant portion of the workforce, and these workers often have access to both 403(b) and 457(b) retirement plans that can be used to reduce taxable income.
Naval Station Newport and Defense Industry Workers
Naval Station Newport is one of the largest employers in Rhode Island, home to the Naval War College, Officer Training Command, and numerous defense contractors. Active-duty military members who maintain legal residency in another state are exempt from RI income tax and TDI on their military pay. Civilian defense workers and military members who are RI residents pay full RI tax and TDI. The concentration of defense jobs makes this a significant paycheck planning consideration for the Newport area workforce.
Cross-Border Workers with Massachusetts and Connecticut
Many Rhode Island residents commute to jobs in Massachusetts (particularly the Providence-to-Boston corridor) or Connecticut. RI residents working in MA pay MA income tax on their MA-source wages and can claim a credit on their RI return for taxes paid to MA. Similarly, RI residents working in CT pay CT tax and credit it against RI. However, the TDI contribution is based on RI employment only; workers employed in other states do not owe RI TDI. Workers employed in RI but living in MA or CT owe RI tax and TDI but can credit RI tax against their home state liability.
| Tax Component | Rate | Threshold/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RI Bracket 1 | 3.75% | $0 - $73,450 |
| RI Bracket 2 | 4.75% | $73,451 - $166,950 |
| RI Bracket 3 | 5.99% | $166,951+ |
| TDI Contribution | 1.1% | On wages up to ~$87,000 |
| Alternative Flat Tax | 6.0% | Optional, no deductions/credits |
| Local Income Tax | 0% | No local taxes in RI |
What is Rhode Island TDI and why is it deducted from my paycheck?
TDI stands for Temporary Disability Insurance. It is a mandatory employee-funded program that provides wage replacement (currently up to approximately $1,007 per week for up to 30 weeks) if you cannot work due to a non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy. The contribution rate is 1.1% of your wages up to approximately $87,000 annually. Only employees contribute; employers do not match this payment. Rhode Island was the second state (after California) to create a TDI program, implementing it in 1942.
Does Rhode Island have local income taxes?
No. Rhode Island does not impose any local, city, or town income taxes. The only state-level paycheck deductions are the state income tax and the TDI contribution. This simplifies paycheck calculations compared to states with extensive local tax systems like Ohio or Pennsylvania.
How does RI tax compare to neighboring Massachusetts?
Rhode Island's graduated rates (3.75% to 5.99%) are generally lower than Massachusetts's flat 5% (plus the new 4% surtax on income over $1 million). For workers earning under $73,450, Rhode Island's 3.75% rate is meaningfully lower than Massachusetts's 5%. However, adding the 1.1% TDI contribution narrows the gap. For a worker earning $60,000, RI state tax plus TDI is approximately $2,280 versus MA income tax of approximately $3,000. Above $166,950, RI's 5.99% rate approaches MA's 5% when TDI is excluded but slightly exceeds it.
Does RI tax Social Security benefits?
Rhode Island exempts Social Security benefits from state income tax for taxpayers with federal AGI below $101,000 (single) or $126,250 (married filing jointly). Taxpayers above these thresholds may owe RI tax on a portion of their Social Security benefits. This income-based exemption benefits most Rhode Island retirees but does not fully protect higher-income retirees.
What is the RI alternative flat tax?
Rhode Island offers an alternative flat tax rate of 6% for qualifying filers. Under this option, you pay a straight 6% on your Rhode Island taxable income without any deductions, exemptions, or credits. This option can benefit high-income taxpayers who would otherwise pay the 5.99% top bracket rate with limited deductions. However, since the flat rate (6%) is only slightly higher than the top graduated rate (5.99%), and you lose all deductions and credits, the flat tax rarely provides a benefit for most taxpayers.
Pro Tip
Rhode Island's lowest bracket of 3.75% applies to the first $73,450 of taxable income, which is significantly lower than Massachusetts's flat 5% rate. If you live on the RI-MA border and can choose between employers in either state, working for an RI-based employer can save approximately $900 per year in state income tax on a $70,000 salary (3.75% vs 5%), even after accounting for the 1.1% TDI contribution. This savings diminishes at higher income levels as RI's rates increase.
Did you know?
Rhode Island was the second state in the United States to implement a Temporary Disability Insurance program, establishing it in 1942 (California was first in 1946 but enacted legislation earlier). The program has provided benefits to millions of Rhode Island workers over more than 80 years, covering temporary disabilities, pregnancy, and caring for a new child. The 1.1% employee contribution rate has remained remarkably stable over the decades, making it a predictable and consistent paycheck deduction that Rhode Islanders have come to expect.