California Paycheck Calculator 2026

How this is calculated

The calculator works out a full year of tax for 2026 and divides it by the number of paychecks: 52 weekly, 26 every two weeks, 24 twice a month or 12 monthly. Your employer's withholding aims at the same yearly amount, but it uses the W-4 you filled in and its own payroll tables, so single paychecks can differ by a few dollars.

Federal income tax

Pre-tax 401(k) contributions and pre-tax benefits come off first. Then the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household), the extra deduction for people 65 and older, and the tax brackets from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32. The child tax credit of $2,200 per child under 17 and $500 for other dependents come off the tax.

Social Security and Medicare

Social Security is 6.2% of pay up to $184,500 in 2026 ($192,300 in 2027). Medicare is 1.45% of all pay, plus 0.9% on pay above $200,000. 401(k) contributions don't lower these taxes; pre-tax health insurance and HSA contributions through your employer do.

State and local tax

Each state's 2026 brackets, deductions, exemptions and credits come from its revenue department, with employee contributions such as California SDI or paid family leave in Washington, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Where a state hasn't published a 2026 amount yet, the state page says which value is used. City and county income taxes (New York City, Ohio cities, Pennsylvania, Maryland counties and others) vary by address, so you can add the rate yourself.

What it leaves out

Itemized deductions, income other than wages, the earned income credit, bonuses (often withheld at a flat 22% federally), overtime pay and the new deduction for tips and overtime. If you have those, the income tax calculator covers more of the federal side.