Calculate your estimated federal and California state income tax withholding, Social Security, and Medicare taxes.
Weekly
Bi-Weekly
Semi-Monthly
Monthly
Single
Married Filing Jointly
Head of Household
Estimated Withholding
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Understanding California Employee Taxes
This calculator provides an estimate of the taxes withheld from your paycheck in California. It's important to understand that these are approximations, and your actual tax liability may vary based on numerous factors, including deductions, credits, and other income sources. This tool focuses on the primary withholdings: Federal Income Tax, California State Income Tax, Social Security Tax, and Medicare Tax.
Federal Income Tax Withholding
Federal income tax is progressive, meaning higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes. The amount withheld from your paycheck is based on the information you provide on your W-4 form, including your filing status and the number of allowances you claim. More allowances generally mean less tax withheld, while fewer allowances mean more tax withheld. The IRS provides tax brackets that are updated annually. This calculator uses simplified withholding calculations based on common W-4 practices and standard deduction assumptions for the current tax year.
California State Income Tax Withholding
California has a progressive state income tax system, similar to the federal system. The withholding is also influenced by your W-4 information (California DE 4 form) and your filing status. California's tax rates and brackets are distinct from federal rates. This calculator estimates state withholding based on standard California tax tables and assumptions about your W-4/DE 4 information.
Social Security Tax
Social Security tax is a flat rate of 6.2% on earnings up to an annual limit ($168,600 for 2024). This tax funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Both employees and employers contribute to Social Security.
Medicare Tax
Medicare tax is a flat rate of 1.45% on all earnings, with no income limit. This tax funds the Medicare program, which provides health insurance for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as for younger people with certain disabilities. Both employees and employers contribute to Medicare.
How the Calculator Works (Simplified)
This calculator performs the following steps:
Calculate Taxable Income per Pay Period: Your annual gross salary is divided by your pay frequency to determine your gross pay per period.
Estimate Federal Income Tax: Based on your filing status, allowances, and pay period income, a simplified federal tax amount is calculated using current tax year assumptions and standard deduction values.
Estimate California State Income Tax: Similar to federal tax, state tax is estimated using California's progressive tax brackets and standard deduction assumptions for your filing status and pay period income.
Calculate Social Security Tax: 6.2% of your gross pay per period, capped at the annual Social Security wage base.
Calculate Medicare Tax: 1.45% of your gross pay per period.
Calculate Net Pay: Gross Pay – Federal Tax – State Tax – Social Security Tax – Medicare Tax.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and should not be considered tax advice. Consult with a qualified tax professional for personalized guidance.
function calculateTaxes() {
var annualSalary = parseFloat(document.getElementById("annualSalary").value);
var payFrequency = parseInt(document.getElementById("payFrequency").value);
var filingStatus = document.getElementById("filingStatus").value;
var allowances = parseInt(document.getElementById("allowances").value);
var resultFederalTax = document.getElementById("federalTax");
var resultStateTax = document.getElementById("stateTax");
var resultSocialSecurity = document.getElementById("socialSecurity");
var resultMedicare = document.getElementById("medicare");
var resultNetPay = document.getElementById("netPay");
// Clear previous results
resultFederalTax.textContent = "–";
resultStateTax.textContent = "–";
resultSocialSecurity.textContent = "–";
resultMedicare.textContent = "–";
resultNetPay.textContent = "–";
if (isNaN(annualSalary) || annualSalary <= 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid annual gross salary.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(allowances) || allowances < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number of allowances.");
return;
}
var grossPayPerPeriod = annualSalary / payFrequency;
// — Federal Tax Calculation (Simplified – using 2024 standard deduction assumptions) —
// This is a highly simplified model. Real withholding is more complex.
var federalTaxRate = 0.0;
var federalTaxAmount = 0.0;
var standardDeductionAnnual = 0;
if (filingStatus === "single") {
standardDeductionAnnual = 14600; // 2024 standard deduction for Single
} else if (filingStatus === "married_filing_jointly") {
standardDeductionAnnual = 29200; // 2024 standard deduction for Married Filing Jointly
} else if (filingStatus === "head_of_household") {
standardDeductionAnnual = 21900; // 2024 standard deduction for Head of Household
}
var taxableIncomeAnnual = annualSalary – standardDeductionAnnual – (allowances * 1000); // Simplified allowance deduction
if (taxableIncomeAnnual < 0) taxableIncomeAnnual = 0;
// Simplified Federal Tax Brackets (2024 – Single example, adjust for others)
// This is a very rough approximation for withholding purposes.
var federalTaxBrackets = [
{ limit: 11600, rate: 0.10 },
{ limit: 47150, rate: 0.12 },
{ limit: 100525, rate: 0.22 },
{ limit: 191950, rate: 0.24 },
{ limit: 243725, rate: 0.32 },
{ limit: 609350, rate: 0.35 },
{ limit: Infinity, rate: 0.37 }
];
var calculatedFederalTaxAnnual = 0;
var incomeRemaining = taxableIncomeAnnual;
var previousLimit = 0;
if (filingStatus === "married_filing_jointly") {
federalTaxBrackets = [
{ limit: 23200, rate: 0.10 },
{ limit: 94300, rate: 0.12 },
{ limit: 201050, rate: 0.22 },
{ limit: 383900, rate: 0.24 },
{ limit: 487450, rate: 0.32 },
{ limit: 1218700, rate: 0.35 },
{ limit: Infinity, rate: 0.37 }
];
} else if (filingStatus === "head_of_household") {
federalTaxBrackets = [
{ limit: 16550, rate: 0.10 },
{ limit: 63100, rate: 0.12 },
{ limit: 104000, rate: 0.22 },
{ limit: 178150, rate: 0.24 },
{ limit: 233350, rate: 0.32 },
{ limit: 508600, rate: 0.35 },
{ limit: Infinity, rate: 0.37 }
];
}
for (var i = 0; i 0) {
calculatedFederalTaxAnnual += taxableInBracket * bracket.rate;
}
incomeRemaining -= taxableInBracket;
previousLimit = bracket.limit;
if (incomeRemaining <= 0) break;
}
federalTaxAmount = calculatedFederalTaxAnnual / payFrequency;
// — California State Tax Calculation (Simplified – using 2023/2024 assumptions) —
// California has its own brackets and standard deductions.
var stateTaxAmount = 0.0;
var californiaStandardDeductionAnnual = 0;
if (filingStatus === "single") {
californiaStandardDeductionAnnual = 5363; // 2023 CA standard deduction for Single
} else if (filingStatus === "married_filing_jointly") {
californiaStandardDeductionAnnual = 10726; // 2023 CA standard deduction for MFJ
} else if (filingStatus === "head_of_household") {
californiaStandardDeductionAnnual = 5363; // 2023 CA standard deduction for HoH (same as single, but often higher personal exemption)
}
var taxableIncomeStateAnnual = annualSalary – californiaStandardDeductionAnnual – (allowances * 1000); // Simplified allowance deduction
if (taxableIncomeStateAnnual < 0) taxableIncomeStateAnnual = 0;
// Simplified California Tax Brackets (2023 – Single example)
var californiaTaxBrackets = [
{ limit: 10412, rate: 0.02 },
{ limit: 24684, rate: 0.04 },
{ limit: 38959, rate: 0.06 },
{ limit: 54077, rate: 0.08 },
{ limit: 68342, rate: 0.10 },
{ limit: 82616, rate: 0.11 },
{ limit: Infinity, rate: 0.1330 } // Top rate
];
if (filingStatus === "married_filing_jointly") {
californiaTaxBrackets = [
{ limit: 20824, rate: 0.02 },
{ limit: 49368, rate: 0.04 },
{ limit: 77918, rate: 0.06 },
{ limit: 108154, rate: 0.08 },
{ limit: 136684, rate: 0.10 },
{ limit: 165232, rate: 0.11 },
{ limit: Infinity, rate: 0.1330 }
];
} else if (filingStatus === "head_of_household") {
californiaTaxBrackets = [
{ limit: 10412, rate: 0.02 }, // Same as single for first bracket
{ limit: 24684, rate: 0.04 },
{ limit: 38959, rate: 0.06 },
{ limit: 54077, rate: 0.08 },
{ limit: 68342, rate: 0.10 },
{ limit: 82616, rate: 0.11 },
{ limit: Infinity, rate: 0.1330 }
];
}
var calculatedStateTaxAnnual = 0;
incomeRemaining = taxableIncomeStateAnnual;
previousLimit = 0;
for (var i = 0; i 0) {
calculatedStateTaxAnnual += taxableInBracket * bracket.rate;
}
incomeRemaining -= taxableInBracket;
previousLimit = bracket.limit;
if (incomeRemaining <= 0) break;
}
stateTaxAmount = calculatedStateTaxAnnual / payFrequency;
// — Social Security Tax —
var socialSecurityRate = 0.062;
var socialSecurityWageBase = 168600; // 2024 limit
var socialSecurityTaxableIncome = Math.min(annualSalary, socialSecurityWageBase);
var socialSecurityTaxAnnual = socialSecurityTaxableIncome * socialSecurityRate;
var socialSecurityTaxAmount = socialSecurityTaxAnnual / payFrequency;
// — Medicare Tax —
var medicareRate = 0.0145;
var medicareTaxAmount = grossPayPerPeriod * medicareRate; // No wage limit for Medicare
// — Net Pay —
var totalWithholding = federalTaxAmount + stateTaxAmount + socialSecurityTaxAmount + medicareTaxAmount;
var netPay = grossPayPerPeriod – totalWithholding;
// Display results
resultNetPay.textContent = "Net Pay: $" + netPay.toFixed(2);
resultFederalTax.textContent = "Est. Federal Tax: $" + federalTaxAmount.toFixed(2);
resultStateTax.textContent = "Est. CA State Tax: $" + stateTaxAmount.toFixed(2);
resultSocialSecurity.textContent = "Social Security Tax: $" + socialSecurityTaxAmount.toFixed(2);
resultMedicare.textContent = "Medicare Tax: $" + medicareTaxAmount.toFixed(2);
}