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HEAD-TO-HEAD TAX COMPARISON · 2026

COUNTRY A Texas VS COUNTRY B New York

Side-by-side analysis of income tax, effective rates, and take-home pay for Texas and New York in 2026.

Daniel · CountryTaxCalc Updated May 2026 Tax Comparison 2026
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OVERVIEW
Texas versus New York is a clean, high-stakes comparison for business owners — and one of the most financially significant relocation decisions available in the United States. Texas levies no personal income tax and no corporate income tax. New York State levies income tax up to 10.9%; New York City adds up to 3.876%. A business owner in New York City earning $300,000 in pass-through income pays approximately $42,000–$46,000 in combined state and city income tax annually. The same business owner in Austin or Dallas pays zero. Over a decade, the difference is $420,000–$460,000 before investment returns. Texas's franchise tax (0.75% of margin above $2.47M) barely affects small and mid-size businesses. For a service business with $500,000 in revenue and $150,000 in margin, the franchise tax is approximately $1,125/year — trivial compared to New York's income tax. Texas also has no entity formation fees based on revenue, no LLC publication requirement, and no minimum franchise tax on small businesses. New York's advantage is concentrated entirely in access: finance, media, law, insurance, and corporate headquarters are overwhelmingly located in New York City. For businesses that must be in New York to compete, the tax cost is a necessary expense. For businesses that can operate remotely or from a Texas base, the tax saving is one of the most compelling financial decisions available.
Section 01

The Big Picture

Top-line rates and effective take-home for a typical earner — including income tax, social contributions, and applicable surcharges.

🤠
COUNTRY A
Texas
TAX RATE
0% income / 0.75% franchise
No Income Tax, Franchise Tax on Revenue >$2.47M

Zero personal and corporate income tax; franchise tax 0.75% of taxable margin above $2.47M revenue; no entity minimum fees

🗽
COUNTRY B
New York
TAX RATE
Up to 10.9% + NYC 3.876%
State + NYC Income Tax

NY state income tax up to 10.9%; NYC adds up to 3.876%; combined NYC rate up to 14.776% on business owner income

TYPICAL ANNUAL DIFFERENCE
Moving from New York → Texas at $300,000 business profit
$35,000+

Texas saves approximately $35,000–$46,000/year vs NYC at $300K pass-through business profit (combined NY state + NYC income tax). Vs New York State only (non-NYC): approximately $27,000/year saving at $300K. Texas franchise tax applies above $2.47M revenue at 0.75% of margin.

Section 02

Tax Savings by Income Level

Net take-home after all income tax, social contributions, and surcharges — for a single employee with no dependents.

GROSS INCOME
🤠 TX TAX
🗽 NY TAX
SAVINGS
10-YEAR
$100,000 net profit
$0
~$10,350 NY state / ~$14,100 NYC total
TX saves ~$10,350–$14,100/yr
$103,500–$141,000
$200,000 net profit
$0
~$22,100 NY state / ~$29,800 NYC total
TX saves ~$22,100–$29,800/yr
$221,000–$298,000
$300,000 net profit
$0
~$32,000 NY state / ~$43,500 NYC total
TX saves ~$32,000–$43,500/yr
$320,000–$435,000
$500,000 net profit
$0
~$52,150 NY state / ~$71,500 NYC total
TX saves ~$52,150–$71,500/yr
$521,500–$715,000
$1,000,000 net profit
$0 (if under franchise threshold)
~$108,100 NY state / ~$147,600 NYC total
TX saves ~$108,100–$147,600/yr
$1,081,000–$1,476,000
💡

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🤠

Texas Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • Zero personal income tax — all pass-through business income untaxed at state level
  • No corporate income tax — C-corps also owe no Texas income tax
  • Franchise tax ($2.47M threshold) doesn't apply to most small businesses
  • No minimum entity fees, no publication requirements, no annual LLC gross revenue fees
  • Austin, Dallas, Houston are established tech, energy, finance, and logistics hubs
  • Lower cost of living reduces salary requirements for employees
− CONS
  • Franchise tax 0.75% of margin above $2.47M applies to larger businesses
  • Property taxes ~1.6% — among the highest nationally for commercial and residential
  • Less concentrated access to finance and media deal flow vs NYC
🗽

New York Pros & Cons

+ PROS
  • New York City is the world capital of finance, law, media, and advertising
  • No other US city matches NYC's concentration of Fortune 500 HQs and institutional capital
  • Deep talent pipeline from Ivy League and NYC-area universities
  • Strong professional network density creates client access advantages
− CONS
  • Combined NYC state + city income tax up to 14.776% on all business owner income
  • NY corporate franchise tax 6.5–7.25% for C-corporations
  • LLC publication requirement: $1,000–$2,000 upon formation in NYC counties
  • Commercial rent in Manhattan among the highest globally
  • New York aggressively audits business owners claiming out-of-state residency
  • High salary premiums required due to NYC cost of living
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Texas and New York compare for LLC taxation?

In Texas, a single-member LLC (taxed as a sole proprietorship) owes no Texas income tax on income. If the LLC's total revenue is under $2.47M, it also owes no Texas franchise tax. Annual Texas LLC filing cost: $300 formation fee, $0 annual income tax. In New York, a single-member LLC owes New York state income tax (up to 10.9%) plus NYC income tax (if the owner lives in NYC, up to 3.876%) on all profits. New York also charges an annual LLC filing fee ($25 minimum), and newly formed LLCs must comply with the publication requirement ($1,000–$2,000 in NYC). Total first-year cost difference for a typical NYC LLC vs Texas LLC: $10,000–$20,000+ depending on income.

What happens to New York taxes if I move my business to Texas but keep NYC clients?

If you genuinely establish Texas domicile and your business has no New York nexus (no employees, offices, or New York-based property), you owe no New York income tax on Texas-sourced income. However, if you work while physically in New York even temporarily, New York may assert the right to tax that income. New York's 'convenience of the employer' rule can tax remote workers of New York employers. For business owners with direct NYC clients but no physical NYC presence, the analysis is fact-specific — a CPA experienced in New York nexus rules is essential.

Are there industries where New York is worth the tax cost over Texas?

Yes. Financial services (hedge funds, private equity, investment banking), law (Wall Street firms), advertising and media, Broadway and entertainment, and luxury fashion/retail all have compelling network advantages in New York that may justify the tax cost. For a hedge fund manager raising institutional capital, the New York ecosystem may generate deal flow that exceeds the $50,000–$100,000/year in state income taxes. For a software developer building a remote SaaS business, the New York network advantage is minimal and the tax cost is a pure loss.

Is Dallas or Houston better for businesses relocating from New York?

Both are strong. Dallas-Fort Worth is more commonly compared to New York in finance, professional services, and tech — with no income tax, strong corporate HQ presence (AT&T, Toyota USA, American Airlines), and growing venture capital. Houston is better for energy, logistics, and healthcare-related businesses. Austin has become the dominant tech hub, attracting Oracle, Tesla, Apple, and Meta offices. Miami (Florida, not Texas) has gained significant finance and crypto business from New York since 2020. The choice depends on industry, talent needs, and personal preference — all three Texas metros have zero state income tax.

Does Texas have a corporate income tax for C-corporations?

No. Texas does not impose a corporate income tax on C-corporations. Instead, it levies the franchise tax (margin tax) on businesses above $2.47M in total revenue. The franchise tax rate is 0.75% of taxable margin (total revenue minus the greater of COGS, compensation paid, or 30% of revenue). Most C-corporations in Texas with moderate revenue and real business expenses end up with an effective franchise tax rate well below 0.75% of revenue. This compares favourably to New York's 6.5–7.25% corporate franchise tax, which is applied to net income.
From the brief
NL27%new 2027 rate, down from 30%
DK65.4kkr/mo threshold, cut from 78k
MT1940snon-dom regime unchanged since
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