Understanding your paycheck in South Carolina involves navigating three main layers of taxation: Federal Income Tax, FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act), and the South Carolina state-specific income tax. While South Carolina is known for having no local city or county income taxes, its state income tax system has recently undergone significant simplification.
The South Carolina State Income Tax
As of 2024, South Carolina has transitioned toward a simplified tax structure. Most residents are subject to a top marginal rate of approximately 6.4%, though the state legislature frequently adjusts this. Unlike some states with a flat tax, SC uses progressive brackets where a portion of your initial income is taxed at 0% or lower rates before hitting the top bracket.
Mandatory Federal Deductions
FICA: This consists of two parts. Social Security at 6.2% (up to the annual wage base limit) and Medicare at 1.45%.
Federal Income Tax: This is based on the 2024 IRS tax brackets, ranging from 10% to 37%, depending on your total annual earnings and filing status.
Example Calculation
If you earn $60,000 annually as a single filer in South Carolina paid bi-weekly:
Gross Pay: $2,307.69 per check.
FICA: Roughly $176.54 per check.
Federal Tax: Approximately $208.00 per check (assuming standard deduction).
SC State Tax: Approximately $115.00 per check.
Net Take-Home: ~$1,808.15.
Note: These figures are estimates. Your actual paycheck may vary based on pre-tax 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and specific W-4 withholding selections.
function calculateSCPaycheck() {
// Inputs
var grossInput = parseFloat(document.getElementById("grossPay").value);
var frequency = parseFloat(document.getElementById("frequency").value);
var status = document.getElementById("filingStatus").value;
var preTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById("deductions").value) || 0;
if (isNaN(grossInput) || grossInput 609350) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 609350) * 0.37 + 168934;
else if (adjustedFedTaxable > 243725) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 243725) * 0.35 + 40840;
else if (adjustedFedTaxable > 191950) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 191950) * 0.32 + 33360;
else if (adjustedFedTaxable > 100525) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 100525) * 0.24 + 11420;
else if (adjustedFedTaxable > 47150) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 47150) * 0.22 + 5147;
else if (adjustedFedTaxable > 11600) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 11600) * 0.12 + 1160;
else fedTax += adjustedFedTaxable * 0.10;
} else {
// Simplified Federal Brackets 2024 (Married Joint)
if (adjustedFedTaxable > 731200) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 731200) * 0.37 + 186362;
else if (adjustedFedTaxable > 487450) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 487450) * 0.35 + 101050;
else if (adjustedFedTaxable > 383900) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 383900) * 0.32 + 67910;
else if (adjustedFedTaxable > 201050) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 201050) * 0.24 + 23210;
else if (adjustedFedTaxable > 94300) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 94300) * 0.22 + 10294;
else if (adjustedFedTaxable > 23200) fedTax += (adjustedFedTaxable – 23200) * 0.12 + 2320;
else fedTax += adjustedFedTaxable * 0.10;
}
// FICA (7.65% total: 6.2% SS up to 168600, 1.45% Medicare)
var ssTax = Math.min(annualGross, 168600) * 0.062;
var medTax = annualGross * 0.0145;
var ficaTax = ssTax + medTax;
// South Carolina State Tax (Simplified 2024)
// Roughly 0% for first $3,330, then tiered up to 6.4%
// SC uses Federal Taxable Income as starting point usually
var scTaxable = adjustedFedTaxable;
var scTax = 0;
if (scTaxable > 16660) {
scTax = (scTaxable – 16660) * 0.064 + (13330 * 0.03);
} else if (scTaxable > 3330) {
scTax = (scTaxable – 3330) * 0.03;
}
// Results per period
var divisor = (frequency === 1) ? 1 : frequency;
var periodGross = (frequency === 1) ? annualGross : grossInput;
var periodFed = fedTax / divisor;
var periodFica = ficaTax / divisor;
var periodState = scTax / divisor;
var periodDeductions = (frequency === 1) ? annualPreTax : preTaxDeductions;
var periodNet = periodGross – periodFed – periodFica – periodState – periodDeductions;
// Display
document.getElementById("resGross").innerText = "$" + periodGross.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resFedTax").innerText = "-$" + periodFed.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resFICA").innerText = "-$" + periodFica.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resStateTax").innerText = "-$" + periodState.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resNet").innerText = "$" + periodNet.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("resultsArea").style.display = "block";
}