California Paycheck Calculator

How the California paycheck calculator works

This calculator estimates your take-home pay by applying four layers of US payroll taxes to your gross annual salary: federal income tax, California state income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%). High earners pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax above the IRS threshold.

Federal income tax

Federal tax uses progressive brackets ranging from 10% to 37%. Each dollar is taxed only at the rate of the bracket it falls into — this is called your marginal rate, not your effective rate. The calculator applies the 2025 IRS brackets (Rev. Proc. 2024-40) and the $15,000 standard deduction for single filers.

California state income tax

California uses progressive state tax brackets sourced from California Franchise Tax Board (ftb.ca.gov), 2025 tax year. The state standard deduction is automatically applied based on your filing status. Income over $1M is subject to an additional 1% Mental Health Services Tax.

FICA (Social Security + Medicare)

FICA taxes are flat: 6.2% Social Security on wages up to the 2025 cap of $176,100, plus 1.45% Medicare on all wages. Single filers earning over $200,000 pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on income above that threshold.