How Arkansas taxes retirement income

Updated

Arkansas does not tax Social Security benefits. Pensions and 401(k)/IRA withdrawals are partly taxed (there is an exclusion, then the rest is taxed). Social Security fully exempt. Up to $6,000 annual exemption per person ($12,000 married filing jointly) for private and government employer pensions, IRAs, and 401(k) distributions for taxpayers age 59½+; amounts above the exemption are taxed at regular graduated rates. Military, police, and firefighter pensions are fully exempt.

Retirement income tax in Arkansas, at a glance

How Arkansas taxes retirement income (reviewed August 29, 2026)
Income typeTaxed by Arkansas?
Social SecurityNo
PensionsPartially (exclusion applies)
401(k) / IRA withdrawalsNo
Estate / inheritance taxNone
Avg. property tax rate0.59% of home value

Does Arkansas tax Social Security benefits?

No. Arkansas does not tax Social Security benefits.

Does Arkansas tax pensions and 401(k) or IRA withdrawals?

Partly. Social Security fully exempt. Up to $6,000 annual exemption per person ($12,000 married filing jointly) for private and government employer pensions, IRAs, and 401(k) distributions for taxpayers age 59½+; amounts above the exemption are taxed at regular graduated rates. Military, police, and firefighter pensions are fully exempt.

For the mechanics of required withdrawals in retirement, see what is an RMD.

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