Tax Year 2026Updated July 13, 2026

Does Utah Tax Overtime in 2026?

Yes - Utah still taxes overtime premium. The Utah State Tax Commission has said the new federal deductions "will have no effect on the Utah return as they are a 'below the line' deduction." Utah starts from federal AGI and has no subtraction for overtime premium, so it is taxed at 4.45%.

How Utah's Overtime Tax Treatment Works

Where Utah starts: TC-40 line 4 is "Federal adjusted gross income from federal return."

Where the federal deduction sits: the overtime premium deduction is figured on Schedule 1-A after AGI and subtracted on Form 1040 line 13b. It never changes federal AGI, so it never changes Utah income.

The Tax Commission's position: its January 15, 2026 webinar says these deductions "will have no effect on the Utah return," and Utah's list of subtractions (TC-40A) has none for overtime premium.

Federal Overtime Deduction Quick Reference

DetailValue
IRC Section§225 (OBBBA)
Maximum deduction$12,500 overtime ($25,000 MFJ)
Deduction typeAbove-the-line (Schedule 1-A)
FICA still applies?Yes (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%)
MFS eligible?No (MFJ or Single/HoH only)
Effective datesJan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2028
Utah treatmentDoes not conform
What qualifies?Overtime premium only (the 0.5x above regular rate), FLSA non-exempt employees

Worked Examples Comparing Federal and Utah Treatment

Example 1: Warehouse worker with $8,000 in overtime premium (single filer, 12% federal bracket)

Federal return:
Qualifying overtime premium: $8,000
Overtime deduction claimed: $8,000 (capped at $12,500)
Estimated federal tax savings: $960.00

Utah return:
Utah starts from federal AGI, which the deduction does not change, so the full $8,000 stays in Utah income. At Utah's 4.45% rate that is about $356 of Utah tax. No Utah savings.

Example 2: Nurse at the single-filer cap, $12,500 deducted (single filer, 22% federal bracket)

Federal return:
Qualifying overtime premium: $12,500
Overtime deduction claimed: $12,500 (capped at $12,500)
Estimated federal tax savings: $2,750.00

Utah return:
The federal deduction saves federal tax only. On the Utah return the $12,500 is still income, about $556 of Utah tax at 4.45%.

Utah Notes

Flat 4.45% rate: overtime premium is taxed at the same flat rate as other income.

What would change it: only a Utah law adding a subtraction for overtime premium. None exists for 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does Utah tax overtime premium in 2026?
Yes. The Utah State Tax Commission has said the new federal deductions have no effect on the Utah return because they are a below-the-line deduction. Utah starts from federal adjusted gross income, and Utah has no separate subtraction for overtime premium.
What exactly did the Tax Commission say?
In its January 15, 2026 tax update webinar: "These additional deductions will have no effect on the Utah return as they are a "below the line" deduction. If it does not change the FAGI or the standard or itemized deduction, it will not affect the Utah tax return."
Utah conforms to the Internal Revenue Code. Why doesn't that help?
Conformity controls which federal rules apply, but Utah's TC-40 starts on line 4 with federal adjusted gross income. The overtime premium deduction is taken after AGI on federal Schedule 1-A, so it never changes the figure Utah uses.
Do I still get the federal deduction?
Yes. The federal deduction, up to $12,500 single or $25,000 married filing jointly, applies on your federal return wherever you live.
Is there any Utah effect at all?
Only in a narrow case for seniors: Utah's qualified exempt taxpayer worksheet (TC-40 line 21) uses the federal senior deduction. The tips and overtime deductions do not enter the Utah calculation.