California payroll · Updated November 6, 2026
California paycheck calculator for 2026
See what comes out of a California paycheck: federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, California income tax using the EDD’s 2026 exact calculation method, and the 1.3% State Disability Insurance, which now has no wage cap. Enter a salary, an hourly rate or one paycheck.
Calculate my take-home payCalculate your California take-home pay
Take-home pay per paycheck
$1,838.71
$47,807 a year
| Paycheck | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,307.69 | $60,000 |
| Federal income tax | -$193.08 | -$5,020 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$143.08 | -$3,720 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$33.46 | -$870 |
| California income tax | -$69.36 | -$1,803 |
| CA SDI (1.3%) | -$30.00 | -$780 |
| Take-home pay | $1,838.71 | $47,807 |
2026 estimate for one paycheck, using the IRS percentage method and California’s withholding formula. Your employer's payroll may differ by a few cents to a few dollars. Not tax advice.
What comes out of a California paycheck
| Deduction | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | 10% to 37% | Wages after the W-4 standard amount, by filing status |
| Social Security | 6.2% | Wages up to $184,500 for 2026 |
| Medicare | 1.45%, plus 0.9% over $200,000 | All wages, no cap |
| CA SDI (1.3%) | 1.3% | All wages |
| California income tax | 1.1% to 14.63% withholding rates | Wages above the low-income exemption, minus the standard deduction, less $168.30 per DE 4 allowance |
Example: $60,000 a year, paid every two weeks
| Line | Per paycheck | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay ($60,000 ÷ 26) | $2,307.69 | $60,000 |
| Federal income tax | −$193.08 | −$5,020 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$143.08 | −$3,720 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$33.46 | −$870 |
| CA SDI (1.3%) | −$30.00 | −$780 |
| California income tax | −$69.36 | −$1,803 |
| Take-home pay | $1,838.71 | $47,807 |
How California withholding works
California employers follow the EDD’s DE 44 guide. Under its exact calculation method, nothing is withheld if your pay is at or below the low-income exemption ($18,896 a year for single filers, $37,791 for heads of household and married filers with two or more allowances). Above that, the standard deduction ($5,706 or $11,412) and $1,000 per estimated-deduction allowance come off, the tax is figured from rate tables that run from 1.1% to 14.63%, and $168.30 a year is subtracted for each regular allowance on Form DE 4.
The tables also have a bracket starting at $1,000,000. If you never filed a DE 4, your employer withholds as single with zero allowances. Bonuses and stock options can be withheld at a flat 10.23%.
State Disability Insurance (SDI)
California SDI is 1.3% of wages for 2026, and since January 1, 2024 there is no limit on the wages it applies to. Unemployment insurance and the employment training tax are paid by employers.
Minimum wage in California
The statewide minimum wage is $16.90 an hour from January 1, 2026. Many cities set higher local minimums.
Your federal withholding and Form W-4
Federal withholding is separate from the state’s and depends on your Form W-4: your filing status, the Step 2 box if you have two jobs or both spouses work, and the Step 3 amount for children and other dependents. Pre-tax 401(k), 403(b) and cafeteria-plan health premiums come out before income tax is figured. If you are paid on a 1099 instead of a W-2, nothing is withheld; use the self-employment tax calculator and plan for estimated payments.
Questions
How much is taken out of a $60,000 paycheck in California?
For a single person paid every two weeks with no W-4 adjustments, one DE 4 allowance, about $193.08 federal income tax, $143.08 Social Security, $33.46 Medicare and $69.36 California income tax, $30.00 CA SDI (1.3%) come out of each $2,307.69 paycheck, leaving about $1,838.71.
What is the California SDI rate for 2026?
1.3% of wages, with no wage cap since 2024.
How many allowances should I claim on Form DE 4?
Use the DE 4 worksheet. Each regular allowance lowers California withholding by $168.30 a year; estimated-deduction allowances each take $1,000 off the wages taxed. With no DE 4, your employer uses single with zero allowances.
Is California tax withheld on bonuses at a different rate?
Yes. Employers can withhold a flat 10.23% on bonuses and stock options, and 6.6% on other supplemental pay.
Why is my paycheck different from this calculator?
Payroll systems round differently, and paychecks can include things this calculator leaves out: overtime, bonuses withheld at the flat supplemental rate, after-tax deductions, extra withholding on your W-4, or W-4 Step 4 adjustments.
Owe at tax time, or getting too much back?
We prepare federal returns for clients in every state and can tell you how to set your W-4 so next year comes out closer. We work remotely through a secure portal, by phone or video.
Tax preparation serviceWhere these rules come from
- EDD: DE 44 California Employer’s Guide 2026 (PDF)
- EDD: Form DE 4, Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate (PDF)
- California Labor Commissioner: Minimum wage FAQ
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026): Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
- IRS Topic 751: Social Security and Medicare withholding rates
Related
- Paycheck calculators for other states
- California income tax
- What is FICA tax? Rates for 2026 and 2027
- Federal tax brackets for 2026 and 2027
- Self-employment tax calculator
- Illinois paycheck calculator
USTAXX prepares tax returns and offers tax planning. We are not a CPA firm and do not represent clients before the IRS. This page is general information, not tax advice for your situation.