Washington Paycheck Calculator 2026
Washington takes no income tax, but every paycheck carries WA Cares (0.58% of all wages) and the employee share of Paid Family and Medical Leave (about 0.81% up to the wage base).
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
Washington paycheck rules for 2026
| State income tax, 2026 | No state income tax on wages |
|---|---|
| Deductions before tax | Not applicable |
| Withholding certificate | None (no state income tax) |
| Bonus (supplemental) withholding | None: no state tax is withheld from bonuses |
| Mandatory payroll premiums | WA Cares Fund (long-term care): 0.58%, no cap; Paid Family & Medical Leave (employee share): 0.807% up to $184,500 |
| Local income taxes | None |
| Reciprocity agreements | None |
| Sales tax (for context) | 6.50% state, 9.57% average combined with local (rank 3 of 51) |
Worked example: $60,000 in Washington
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 |
| Washington income tax | $0.00 |
| WA Cares Fund (long-term care) | -$13.38 |
| Paid Family & Medical Leave (employee share) | -$18.63 |
| Take-home pay | $1,906.07 |
Washington 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 Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $1,298.66 | $33,765 | $555 |
| $60,000 | $1,906.07 | $49,558 | $832 |
| $100,000 | $2,992.03 | $77,793 | $1,387 |
| $150,000 | $4,296.55 | $111,710 | $2,081 |
Living and working in Washington
Washington taxes long-term capital gains above $278,000 at 7%, plus 2.9% above $1 million, and has one of the highest combined sales tax rates in the country, so a big stock sale or a large purchase is where the state collects.
Washington's state sales tax is 6.50%; with local add-ons the average combined rate is 9.57%, ranked 3 of 51 as of July 2026.
Despite having no income tax, Washington withholds two mandatory payroll premiums from every paycheck: WA Cares at 0.58% and the employee share of Paid Family and Medical Leave.
In retirement: Washington does not tax wages or retirement income. It does tax long-term capital gains above roughly $278,000 at 7%, with a 2.9% surtax above $1 million taking the top rate to 9.9%, which can reach retirees selling appreciated assets.
Washington paycheck questions
How much is take-home pay on $60,000 in Washington?
A single filer paid $60,000 a year every two weeks, with no pre-tax benefits, takes home about $1,906.07 a paycheck in Washington ($49,558 a year). Each $2,307.69 paycheck loses $193.08 to federal income tax, $176.54 to Social Security and Medicare and $32.01 to state payroll premiums. That is $832 a year less than the same salary in a state with no income tax or payroll premiums.
Does Washington withhold state income tax from paychecks?
No. Washington has no income tax on wages, so there is no state withholding certificate to fill in and no state income tax line on your pay stub. Washington takes no income tax, but every paycheck carries WA Cares (0.58% of all wages) and the employee share of Paid Family and Medical Leave (about 0.81% up to the wage base).
If Washington has no income tax, what does it tax instead?
Washington has no income tax on wages but does tax long-term capital gains, withholds two mandatory payroll premiums, and has one of the highest combined sales tax rates in the country. The state sales tax rate is 6.50%, and with local add-ons the average combined rate is 9.57%, ranked 3 of 51 (Tax Foundation, July 2026). A bigger paycheck can be partly offset by what you pay at the register and in property tax.
What else does Washington take out of a paycheck?
WA Cares Fund (long-term care): Employee-paid, 0.58% of all wages with no cap. Funds the long-term care benefit. Paid Family & Medical Leave (employee share): The total 2026 premium is 1.13% of wages; employees pay 71.43% of it (about 0.81%) up to the Social Security wage base. On $60,000 these total about $832 a year.
How are bonuses withheld in Washington?
Federally, a bonus paid separately is usually withheld at a flat 22% (37% on supplemental pay above $1 million in the year). For Washington: None: no state tax is withheld from bonuses.
More for Washington
- Washington income tax calculator for the full year
- Paycheck calculator for all states
- Bonus tax calculator