California Paycheck Calculator 2026
California pay stubs show two state lines: income tax and SDI. SDI is 1.3% of every dollar of wages in 2026 with no ceiling, so it costs more than state income tax for many low and middle earners. Bonuses are withheld at a flat 10.23%.
Last updated: October 2026
Pay and filing
Annual gross: $65,000
Used to stop Social Security at the $184,500 wage base and to start the extra 0.9% Medicare above $200,000 on this paycheck.
Form W-4
Step 3: $2,200 per child and $500 per other dependent, a year.
For example education or child care credits you expect to claim.
Interest, dividends or other income with no withholding.
Deductions beyond the standard deduction, including deductible IRA contributions.
Retirement and benefits
$3,900 a year, capped at the $24,500 employee limit for 2026.
Traditional contributions lower federal and most state income tax now, but not Social Security or Medicare.
Through payroll, an HSA avoids income tax and FICA. California and New Jersey still tax it.
2026 limit $3,400.
2026 limit $7,500 per household ($3,750 married filing separately).
Paycheck breakdown (biweekly)
Annual summary
California paycheck rules for 2026
| State income tax, 2026 | 9 brackets from 1% to 12.3%; top rate from $742,953 of taxable income (single), plus 1% Mental Health Services Tax |
|---|---|
| Deductions before tax | standard deduction $5,706 single, $11,412 joint; personal credit $153 per person |
| Withholding certificate | Form DE 4 |
| Bonus (supplemental) withholding | California withholds a flat 10.23% on bonuses and stock options, and 6.6% on other supplemental wages such as commissions. |
| Mandatory payroll premiums | CA State Disability Insurance (SDI): 1.3%, no cap |
| Local income taxes | None |
| Reciprocity agreements | None |
| Sales tax (for context) | 7.25% state, 9.03% average combined with local (rank 7 of 51) |
Worked example: $60,000 in California
Single filer, paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), standard W-4, no 401(k) or other benefits.
| Gross pay | $2,307.69 |
| Federal income tax | -$193.08 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$143.08 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$33.46 |
| California income tax | -$63.06 |
| CA State Disability Insurance (SDI) | -$30.00 |
| Take-home pay | $1,845.02 |
California take-home pay at different salaries
Single filer, paid every two weeks, standard W-4, no benefits, no local tax.
| Salary | Per paycheck | Per year | To California |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,277.59 | $33,217 | $1,103 |
| $60,000 | $1,845.02 | $47,970 | $2,420 |
| $100,000 | $2,800.96 | $72,825 | $6,355 |
| $150,000 | $3,928.31 | $102,136 | $11,655 |
Living and working in California
California's state sales tax is 7.25%; with local add-ons the average combined rate is 9.03%, ranked 7 of 51 as of July 2026.
The 1% Mental Health Services surtax above $1 million applies to the same threshold whether you file single or jointly, so a married couple gets no doubling.
In retirement: California does not tax Social Security benefits, but taxes pensions, 401(k) and IRA withdrawals as ordinary income at full rates. There is no retirement income exclusion.
California paycheck questions
How much is take-home pay on $60,000 in California?
A single filer paid $60,000 a year every two weeks, with no pre-tax benefits, takes home about $1,845.02 a paycheck in California ($47,970 a year). Each $2,307.69 paycheck loses $193.08 to federal income tax, $176.54 to Social Security and Medicare, $63.06 to California income tax and $30.00 to state payroll premiums. That is $2,420 a year less than the same salary in a state with no income tax or payroll premiums.
How much California income tax comes out of each paycheck?
Nine brackets from 1% to 12.3%, plus the 1% Mental Health Services Tax on taxable income over $1 million, for a 13.3% top rate. Brackets and deductions are indexed each year; the 2026 schedule had not been published, so the 2025 schedule is used. On a $60,000 salary that works out to about $63.06 every two weeks, an effective 2.73% of gross pay.
What else does California take out of a paycheck?
CA State Disability Insurance (SDI): Funds disability and Paid Family Leave benefits. There has been no wage ceiling since 1 January 2024, so it applies to every dollar earned. The 2026 rate is 1.3%. On $60,000 these total about $780 a year.
I live in another state but work in California. Whose tax comes out?
California has no reciprocal agreements, so your employer withholds California tax on wages for work done in California. Your home state normally gives a credit for tax paid to California, so you are not taxed twice on the same pay, but you may need to file in both states.
How are bonuses withheld in California?
Federally, a bonus paid separately is usually withheld at a flat 22% (37% on supplemental pay above $1 million in the year). For California: California withholds a flat 10.23% on bonuses and stock options, and 6.6% on other supplemental wages such as commissions.
Which form sets my California withholding?
California uses Form DE 4 alongside the federal Form W-4. If you do not file one, your employer uses the state's default setting, usually single with no allowances or adjustments. Update it after marriage, a new child or a second job.
More for California
- California income tax calculator for the full year
- Paycheck calculator for all states
- Bonus tax calculator