How to Use the Washington Paycheck Calculator
The Washington paycheck calculator is designed to provide residents of the Evergreen State with an accurate estimate of their take-home pay. Unlike many other states, Washington does not have a state income tax, which significantly impacts your final net pay. However, there are specific state-mandated deductions like the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) and the WA Cares Fund that are unique to Washington.
To get the most accurate results, follow these steps:
- Gross Pay
- Enter the total amount you earn before any taxes or deductions are taken out. This is typically your hourly rate multiplied by hours worked, or your annual salary divided by your pay periods.
- Pay Frequency
- Select how often you get paid (e.g., bi-weekly, monthly) so the tool can accurately calculate federal withholding per period.
- Pre-tax Deductions
- Include contributions to 401(k) plans, traditional IRAs, or health insurance premiums that are deducted before taxes are applied.
How It Works: Washington Payroll Taxes
When you calculate your paycheck in Washington, you must account for federal taxes and specific state-level insurance premiums. The formula for your net pay is:
Net Pay = Gross Pay – Federal Withholding – FICA – WA PFML – WA Cares – Pre-tax Deductions
- No State Income Tax: Washington is one of the few states that does not levy a personal income tax on wages.
- Federal Income Tax: Calculated based on your filing status and the IRS tax brackets.
- FICA Taxes: This includes Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) which are mandatory federal payroll taxes.
- WA Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML): As of 2024, the total premium is 0.74% of gross wages. Employees are responsible for approximately 71.43% of this premium, resulting in an employee deduction of roughly 0.5285% of gross pay.
- WA Cares Fund: A long-term care insurance program funded by a 0.58% payroll tax on employees (unless an exemption has been approved).
Calculation Example
Example: A single employee in Seattle earning a gross bi-weekly salary of $3,000 with no pre-tax deductions.
Step-by-step estimate:
- Gross Pay: $3,000.00
- Federal Income Tax (Est): $324.50 (Based on annual taxable of $63,400 after standard deduction)
- Social Security (6.2%): $186.00
- Medicare (1.45%): $43.50
- WA PFML (0.5285%): $15.86
- WA Cares (0.58%): $17.40
- Total Deductions: $587.26
- Net Take-Home Pay: $2,412.74
Common Questions
Does Washington have a state income tax?
No, Washington state does not have a personal income tax on wages. This means you do not have to file a state income tax return or have state income tax withheld from your paycheck. However, there is a capital gains tax for high-earners on certain asset sales, but this does not apply to standard employment wages.
What is the WA Cares Fund deduction?
The WA Cares Fund is a mandatory long-term care insurance program. Most employees in Washington contribute 0.58% of their gross pay to this fund. There is no cap on wages subject to this tax, unlike Social Security.
Are local taxes deducted in Washington?
Generally, no. Most cities in Washington do not have local income taxes. However, some cities like Seattle have employer-side payroll expense taxes, but these are typically not deducted from the employee's gross pay.