Weekly
Bi-Weekly (Every 2 weeks)
Semi-Monthly (Twice a month)
Monthly
Estimated Net Pay:
$0.00
This is an estimate. Actual pay may vary.
Understanding Your California Paycheck
Calculating your net pay (take-home pay) involves subtracting various deductions from your gross pay. In California, this includes federal and state income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and voluntary deductions like insurance premiums and retirement contributions. This calculator provides an estimate based on the information you provide.
Key Components of Your Paycheck Calculation:
Gross Pay: This is your total earnings before any deductions. It's typically based on your hourly rate and hours worked, or your salary.
Pay Frequency: How often you receive your paycheck (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly). This affects how taxes are calculated and withheld over the year.
Federal Income Tax: Calculated based on your gross pay, pay frequency, and the number of allowances you claim on your W-4 form. The IRS provides tax tables for withholding.
Social Security Tax: A flat rate of 6.2% on earnings up to an annual limit ($168,600 for 2024).
Medicare Tax: A flat rate of 1.45% on all earnings, with no income limit. Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% applies to earnings over $200,000 (for single filers).
California State Income Tax: Calculated based on your gross pay, pay frequency, and allowances claimed on your DE 4 form. California has a progressive tax system, meaning higher earners pay a higher percentage.
State Disability Insurance (SDI): A mandatory deduction in California for state-funded disability and paid family leave. The rate is 1.1% of gross wages up to an annual limit ($153,164 for 2023).
Voluntary Deductions: These include contributions to retirement plans (like 401(k)), health, dental, and vision insurance premiums, and other pre-tax or post-tax deductions.
How the Calculator Works (Simplified):
This calculator estimates your net pay by:
Determining your annualized gross income based on your pay period and frequency.
Calculating estimated federal income tax withholding using a simplified W-4 allowance method.
Calculating Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Calculating estimated California state income tax withholding using a simplified DE 4 allowance method.
Calculating California SDI.
Subtracting pre-tax deductions (like 401(k) contributions and potentially health insurance premiums, depending on your plan setup) from gross pay before calculating income taxes.
Subtracting post-tax deductions (like some insurance premiums) and the calculated taxes from your gross pay to arrive at the net pay.
Note: Tax laws and rates can change. This calculator uses current general rates and simplified methods for estimation. For precise calculations, consult your employer's payroll department or a tax professional. The 401(k) contribution is treated as pre-tax, reducing taxable income.
Example Scenario:
Let's say you earn a gross pay of $2,000 bi-weekly, claim 1 federal allowance and 2 California allowances, contribute 5% to your 401(k), and pay $150 for medical insurance (treated as pre-tax for simplicity in this example).
Gross Pay: $2,000.00
Annualized Gross Pay: $2,000 * 26 = $52,000
401(k) Deduction (Pre-tax): $2,000 * 0.05 = $100
Adjusted Gross Pay for Income Tax: $2,000 – $100 – $150 (Medical) = $1,750
Estimated Federal Tax Withholding: Calculated based on $52,000 annual income and 1 allowance.
Estimated CA State Tax Withholding: Calculated based on $52,000 annual income and 2 allowances.
Social Security Tax: $2,000 * 0.062 = $124.00
Medicare Tax: $2,000 * 0.0145 = $29.00
CA SDI: $2,000 * 0.011 = $22.00
Net Pay = Gross Pay – 401(k) – Medical – Federal Tax – SS Tax – Medicare Tax – CA SDI
The calculator will provide a specific estimated net pay figure based on these inputs and current tax tables/formulas.
function calculateNetPay() {
var grossPay = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossPay").value);
var payFrequency = document.getElementById("payFrequency").value;
var federalAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById("federalAllowances").value);
var stateAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById("stateAllowances").value);
var medicalDeduction = parseFloat(document.getElementById("medicalDeduction").value);
var dentalDeduction = parseFloat(document.getElementById("dentalDeduction").value);
var visionDeduction = parseFloat(document.getElementById("visionDeduction").value);
var retirementContributionPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById("retirementContribution").value);
// Basic validation
if (isNaN(grossPay) || grossPay < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid Gross Pay.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(federalAllowances) || federalAllowances < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for Federal Allowances.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(stateAllowances) || stateAllowances < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number for California State Allowances.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(medicalDeduction) || medicalDeduction < 0) {
medicalDeduction = 0;
}
if (isNaN(dentalDeduction) || dentalDeduction < 0) {
dentalDeduction = 0;
}
if (isNaN(visionDeduction) || visionDeduction < 0) {
visionDeduction = 0;
}
if (isNaN(retirementContributionPercent) || retirementContributionPercent grossPay) {
totalPreTaxDeductions = grossPay; // Cannot deduct more than gross pay
retirementContributionAmount = Math.max(0, retirementContributionAmount – (medicalDeduction + dentalDeduction + visionDeduction)); // Adjust retirement if others push it over
}
var taxableIncome = grossPay – totalPreTaxDeductions;
if (taxableIncome 200000) { // Simplified check for single filer
var additionalMedicare = (annualGrossPay – 200000) / annualizationFactor;
if (additionalMedicare > 0) {
medicareTax += additionalMedicare * 0.009;
}
}
// California SDI Tax
var caSDITax = Math.min(grossPay * caSDIRate, caSDILimit * caSDIRate / annualizationFactor); // Prorate limit based on pay period
// Federal Income Tax Withholding (Simplified Estimation)
// This is a VERY rough estimate. Real withholding uses complex tables and forms.
// Using a simplified percentage based on allowances and annual income brackets.
var estimatedFederalTaxPerPeriod = 0;
var annualTaxableIncomeForFed = annualGrossPay – (totalPreTaxDeductions * annualizationFactor); // Annualize pre-tax deductions too
if (annualTaxableIncomeForFed > 0) {
// Simplified brackets – these are illustrative and NOT accurate IRS tables
var effectiveFederalRate = 0.10; // Base rate assumption
if (annualTaxableIncomeForFed > 40000) effectiveFederalRate = 0.15;
if (annualTaxableIncomeForFed > 90000) effectiveFederalRate = 0.20;
if (annualTaxableIncomeForFed > 180000) effectiveFederalRate = 0.25;
// Adjust for allowances (very simplified)
var allowanceValue = 4700; // Approx. 2023 value per allowance for federal
var totalAllowanceReduction = federalAllowances * allowanceValue;
var adjustedAnnualTaxableIncome = Math.max(0, annualTaxableIncomeForFed – totalAllowanceReduction);
estimatedFederalTaxPerPeriod = (adjustedAnnualTaxableIncome * effectiveFederalRate) / annualizationFactor;
}
// California State Income Tax Withholding (Simplified Estimation)
// This is also a VERY rough estimate. Real withholding uses CA DE 4 and tables.
var estimatedStateTaxPerPeriod = 0;
var annualTaxableIncomeForCA = annualGrossPay – (totalPreTaxDeductions * annualizationFactor); // Use same adjusted income
if (annualTaxableIncomeForCA > 0) {
// Simplified brackets – illustrative, NOT accurate FTB tables
var effectiveCARate = 0.02; // Base rate assumption
if (annualTaxableIncomeForCA > 10000) effectiveCARate = 0.04;
if (annualTaxableIncomeForCA > 30000) effectiveCARate = 0.06;
if (annualTaxableIncomeForCA > 70000) effectiveCARate = 0.08;
// Adjust for allowances (simplified)
var caAllowanceValue = 5000; // Approx. 2023 value per allowance for CA
var totalCAAllowanceReduction = stateAllowances * caAllowanceValue;
var adjustedAnnualTaxableIncomeCA = Math.max(0, annualTaxableIncomeForCA – totalCAAllowanceReduction);
estimatedStateTaxPerPeriod = (adjustedAnnualTaxableIncomeCA * effectiveCARate) / annualizationFactor;
}
// — Net Pay Calculation —
var totalDeductions = totalPreTaxDeductions +
estimatedFederalTaxPerPeriod +
socialSecurityTax + // SS is based on gross, not taxable income
medicareTax + // Medicare is based on gross, not taxable income
caSDITax + // SDI is based on gross, not taxable income
estimatedStateTaxPerPeriod;
var netPay = grossPay – totalDeductions;
// Ensure net pay is not negative
if (netPay < 0) {
netPay = 0;
}
document.getElementById("result-value").innerText = "$" + netPay.toFixed(2);
}