California paycheck calculator 2026
California withholds state income tax from wages with progressive rates from 1.1% to 14.63% in the 2026 EDD withholding schedules, based on the employee's DE 4.
Enter pay details
Federal tax on a bonus paid on its own check is a flat 22% (37% above $1M of bonuses in the year). Your W-4 doesn't change it.
Per paycheck. Calculating from gross pay → other amounts
No state income tax on wages here.
More W-4, deductions and employer settings
- Standard deduction $16,100 single, $32,200 married jointly, $24,150 head of household
- Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500 · Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% over $200,000)
- FUTA 0.6% on the first $7,000 · bonus withholding 22%
- 401(k) limit $24,500 ($32,500 at 50+, $35,750 at 60–63)
Paycheck breakdown
Employer taxes (on top of gross pay)
Where the employer's money goes
Saved calculations stay in this browser. Nothing leaves your device.
Clear all saved calculations?
This removes every saved calculation from this browser. It can't be undone.
California payroll taxes and rules for 2026
California withholds state income tax from wages with progressive rates from 1.1% to 14.63% in the 2026 EDD withholding schedules, based on the employee's DE 4. Employees also pay State Disability Insurance (which funds Paid Family Leave) at 1.3% of all wages, with no wage cap. Employers pay unemployment insurance on the first $7,000 of each employee's wages (3.4% for new employers) plus a 0.1% Employment Training Tax.
- Income tax
- 1.1% to 14.63% in the 2026 withholding schedules · Employee form: DE 4
- Without a DE 4 on file, the employer must withhold as Single with zero allowances.
- Each regular allowance is a $168.30 annual tax credit; the 2026 standard deduction is $5,706 (single, or married with 0 or 1 allowance) or $11,412 (married with 2 or more allowances, or head of household).
- Pre-tax 401(k) deferrals and Section 125 health premiums reduce California income-tax wages. HSA contributions do not: California taxes them, even through a cafeteria plan.
- Wages at or below the low-income exemption ($18,896 a year single, $37,791 married with 2 or more allowances or head of household) have no withholding.
- Employee deductions
- State Disability Insurance (SDI), including Paid Family Leave: 1.3% of all wages, no wage cap 401(k) deferrals count as SDI wages; Section 125 health premiums do not.
- Employer taxes
- Unemployment Insurance (UI): 3.4% for new employers on the first $7,000 per employee; experienced rates 1.5% to 6.2% (schedule F+)
- Employment Training Tax (ETT): 0.1% on the first $7,000 per employee ($7 a year) Paid by employers with a positive UI reserve account; reported with UI on the DE 2088 rate notice.
- Local taxes
- California cities and counties do not withhold local income tax from wages.
- Bonuses
- Employers may withhold a flat 10.23% on bonuses and stock options and 6.6% on other supplemental wages such as overtime, commissions and severance, or use the aggregate method (withhold on regular wages plus the supplemental payment).
- Minimum wage 2026
- $16.90 per hour Many cities and counties set a higher local minimum wage.
- Pay frequency
- At least twice a month on regular paydays designated in advance (Labor Code section 204).
- Final paycheck
- Fired: all wages are due immediately. Quit: within 72 hours, or on the last day if the employee gave at least 72 hours' notice (Labor Code sections 201 and 202).
- New-hire reporting
- Report on the DE 34 within 20 calendar days of the start-of-work date.
- Reciprocity
- None
Checked against official sources on October 5, 2026:
- EDD: California Withholding Schedules for 2026 (Method B)
- EDD: California Employer's Guide 2026 (DE 44)
- EDD: Rates and withholding
- EDD: Types of Payments (DE 231TP)
- EDD: DE 4 Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate
- California Labor Code section 201
- California Labor Code section 202
- California Labor Code section 204
- U.S. DOL: State minimum wage laws
Take-home pay in California by salary
| Salary | Federal tax | FICA | California taxes | Take-home / year | Per paycheck | Employer cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $1,162 | $33,158 | $1,275 | $43,347 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $2,585 | $47,805 | $1,839 | $64,877 |
| $80,000 | $8,770 | $6,120 | $4,555 | $60,555 | $2,329 | $86,407 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $6,861 | $72,319 | $2,781 | $107,937 |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $12,626 | $101,165 | $3,891 | $161,762 |
Single filer, paid every two weeks, 2026 W-4 with no adjustments, default California withholding settings, no 401(k) or benefits, new-employer unemployment rate. California taxes include state income tax and employee-paid state programs; local taxes are not included unless the default setting includes them.
How the federal part works, step by step: the 2026 paycheck guide · Arkansas · Colorado
California paycheck questions
Is there a cap on California SDI in 2026?
No. Since January 1, 2024 all wages are subject to SDI, so the 1.3% rate applies to every dollar of SDI wages.
Does a 401(k) deferral reduce California taxes?
It reduces wages for California income tax withholding, but not for SDI, UI or ETT. Those still apply to the deferred amount.
Can an employee use the federal W-4 for California withholding?
Employees should file a DE 4 for California. If no DE 4 is on file, the employer withholds as Single with zero allowances.
What rate applies to a bonus paid on its own check?
Employers may withhold a flat 10.23% on bonuses and stock options, or compute withholding on the regular wages plus the bonus together.
How much is $60,000 a year after taxes in California?
About $47,805 a year, or $1,839 every two weeks, for a single filer with no other W-4 adjustments in 2026. Federal income tax is $5,020, Social Security and Medicare $4,590, and California taxes and payroll deductions $2,585.
What does a $60,000 employee cost an employer in California?
$64,877 a year before benefits: the salary plus the 7.65% FICA match, federal unemployment (FUTA) and California unemployment insurance at the new-employer rate of 3.4% on the first $7,000, plus employer-paid state programs.
Have a question? Write to us — real people answer.
Elevate your efficiency with the powerful yet easy-to-use accounting practice management software.
"Let's create a dream, where the team is happy, clients are well served and profits are fair." — Rain Allikvee, Co-founder of Uku
