What is California state income tax rate in 2026?

California uses a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 1% on the first $10,756 of taxable income up to 13.3% on income above $1 million. Most middle-income earners fall in the 6%–9.3% brackets, making California one of the highest-taxed states in the US.

What is California SDI and how much is deducted from my paycheck?

California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is deducted at 1.3% on all wages with no wage cap as of 2026. Unlike most states, California applies SDI to your entire gross income, which means higher earners pay proportionally more into the fund than in previous years.

Does California have a standard deduction for income tax?

Yes. California offers a standard deduction of $5,202 for single filers and $10,404 for married filing jointly in 2026. This is significantly lower than the federal standard deduction, so many California taxpayers benefit from itemizing state deductions separately.

How much of my California paycheck goes to FICA taxes?

FICA takes 7.65% of your gross pay: 6.2% for Social Security (on wages up to $176,100) and 1.45% for Medicare with no wage cap. High earners also pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married).

Is California the highest income tax state in the US?

California holds the top marginal rate in the nation at 13.3% on income over $1 million. However, most workers earning under $100,000 pay effective rates between 4% and 9.3%, which, while high compared to most states, is not always as extreme as the top rate suggests.

How do I calculate my California take-home pay if I am paid biweekly?

Divide your annual gross salary by 26 to get your biweekly gross pay. Then subtract federal income tax withholding, California state income tax, SDI at 1.3%, Social Security at 6.2%, and Medicare at 1.45%. Our calculator does all of this automatically based on your filing status.

Does California tax bonuses and overtime differently?

California requires employers to withhold a flat 6.6% supplemental rate on bonus payments, though your overall tax liability is determined at filing time. Overtime wages are taxed the same as regular wages under California law — there is no preferential rate for extra hours worked.

Can I use this California paycheck calculator if I am self-employed?

This tool is designed for W-2 employees. Self-employed individuals in California pay self-employment tax (15.3% FICA equivalent) plus California income tax and may owe quarterly estimated payments. Use our results as a rough guide and consult a tax professional for freelance situations.

California Paycheck Calculator 2026

Take-home pay in California for 2026 — federal tax, CA brackets up to 13.3%, the 1.3% SDI on all wages, and FICA.

100% Private — Runs entirely in browserInstant calculation & resultFree, no sign-up

Annual salary (gross)

State

Filing status

Pay frequency

Pre-tax deductions per year (401k, HSA…)

California SDI is withheld at 1.3% of all wages in 2026 (no cap). Rates above $1M include the 1% mental-health surtax (top rate 13.3%).

Estimates for the 2026 tax year using the standard deduction. Actual withholding depends on your W-4, benefits, credits, and local taxes. Not tax advice.

How to calculate your California take-home pay for 2026

California workers face some of the most complex paycheck deduction math in the country. Between a progressive state income tax with ten brackets, a mandatory SDI contribution applied to all wages, and the standard federal and FICA obligations, your gross salary can look very different from what lands in your bank account. This calculator instantly models all of those deductions so you get an accurate net pay estimate before your next paycheck arrives.

Whether you earn $50,000 or $500,000 a year, understanding exactly where each dollar goes empowers you to negotiate salaries, plan budgets, and optimize tax withholding. Use this tool as many times as you need — it is completely free and runs locally in your browser.

California State Income Tax: Progressive brackets from 1% to 13.3%, with nine standard brackets plus a 1% mental health services surcharge on income above $1 million.
Federal Income Tax: 10%–37% progressive brackets based on your filing status and the 2026 IRS withholding tables.
Social Security & Medicare (FICA): 6.2% Social Security on wages up to $176,100 plus 1.45% Medicare on all wages — totaling 7.65% from every paycheck.
California SDI (State Disability Insurance): 1.3% withheld on all wages with no wage cap, funding short-term disability and paid family leave benefits.

California 2026 tax rates explained

California's income tax brackets are adjusted for inflation each year by the Franchise Tax Board (FTB). For 2026, the standard deduction is $5,202 for single filers and $10,404 for married filing jointly — considerably lower than the federal equivalent. That means a greater portion of your California gross income is subject to state tax compared to your federal taxable income.

The nine primary state brackets start at 1% and climb through 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 9.3%, 10.3%, 11.3%, and 12.3%, with the 13.3% rate (including the 1% mental health surcharge) kicking in above $1,000,000 of taxable income. For a single filer earning $80,000, the effective California state tax rate is roughly 5.5%–6%, significantly lower than the marginal 9.3% rate that applies to the highest slice of their income.

Additionally, California's SDI rate of 1.3% applies to all compensation with no annual cap. As of 2024, the wage cap was removed, meaning executives and high earners contribute proportionally more to SDI than ever before. This change also expanded SDI eligibility for high-wage workers. Our calculator applies all of these rules accurately for your 2026 pay stubs.

How ToolJiffy calculates California paycheck deductions

Our California paycheck calculator applies the FTB's 2026 withholding schedules to your gross pay, adjusted for your filing status and pay frequency. We compute California taxable income by subtracting the standard deduction, then apply the marginal bracket structure to arrive at state withholding. Federal income tax is calculated using the IRS Publication 15-T tables. FICA is applied at the statutory rates with the current Social Security wage base. SDI is applied as a flat 1.3% with no cap. The result is your estimated net take-home pay per pay period. All calculations happen client-side in your browser — no salary data is ever sent to a server.

Step-by-step guide to using the California paycheck calculator

Enter salary: Input your annual, monthly, biweekly, or weekly gross pay in the salary field and select the matching pay frequency.
Select filing status: Choose single, married filing jointly, or head of household to apply the correct California and federal withholding tables.
View breakdown: Instantly see your California state tax, SDI, federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and your final net take-home pay per period.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is California state income tax rate in 2026?
Compare other states on the paycheck calculators hub.
California uses a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 1% on the first $10,756 of taxable income up to 13.3% on income above $1 million. Most middle-income earners fall in the 6%–9.3% brackets, making California one of the highest-taxed states in the US.
What is California SDI and how much is deducted from my paycheck?
Compare other states on the paycheck calculators hub.
California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is deducted at 1.3% on all wages with no wage cap as of 2026. Unlike most states, California applies SDI to your entire gross income, which means higher earners pay proportionally more into the fund than in previous years.
Does California have a standard deduction for income tax?
Compare other states on the paycheck calculators hub.
Yes. California offers a standard deduction of $5,202 for single filers and $10,404 for married filing jointly in 2026. This is significantly lower than the federal standard deduction, so many California taxpayers benefit from itemizing state deductions separately.
How much of my California paycheck goes to FICA taxes?
Compare other states on the paycheck calculators hub.
FICA takes 7.65% of your gross pay: 6.2% for Social Security (on wages up to $176,100) and 1.45% for Medicare with no wage cap. High earners also pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married).
Is California the highest income tax state in the US?
Compare other states on the paycheck calculators hub.
California holds the top marginal rate in the nation at 13.3% on income over $1 million. However, most workers earning under $100,000 pay effective rates between 4% and 9.3%, which, while high compared to most states, is not always as extreme as the top rate suggests.
How do I calculate my California take-home pay if I am paid biweekly?
Compare other states on the paycheck calculators hub.
Divide your annual gross salary by 26 to get your biweekly gross pay. Then subtract federal income tax withholding, California state income tax, SDI at 1.3%, Social Security at 6.2%, and Medicare at 1.45%. Our calculator does all of this automatically based on your filing status.
Does California tax bonuses and overtime differently?
Compare other states on the paycheck calculators hub.
California requires employers to withhold a flat 6.6% supplemental rate on bonus payments, though your overall tax liability is determined at filing time. Overtime wages are taxed the same as regular wages under California law — there is no preferential rate for extra hours worked.
Can I use this California paycheck calculator if I am self-employed?
Compare other states on the paycheck calculators hub.
This tool is designed for W-2 employees. Self-employed individuals in California pay self-employment tax (15.3% FICA equivalent) plus California income tax and may owe quarterly estimated payments. Use our results as a rough guide and consult a tax professional for freelance situations.