California paycheck taxes at a glance
California has income tax from 1% to 13.3%. Every paycheck also has federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) withheld. This calculator uses 2026 California rules and 2026 federal brackets.
| Income tax | Progressive, 10 brackets (1%–13.3%) |
| Standard deduction | $5,900 single · $11,800 married |
| Personal exemption | $0 single · $0 married |
| Personal credit | $158 single · $316 married |
| 401(k) contributions | Excluded from state taxable wages |
| Local income taxes | None — No local income tax withheld from wages; a few jurisdictions levy payroll-type taxes on employers. |
| State payroll deductions | CA SDI 1.3% |
The calculator applies the main California rates, deductions, exemptions and credits above. Dependent credits, itemized deductions and special rules for very high incomes are not included.
California income tax brackets (2026)
Rates apply to California taxable income, after deductions and exemptions.
| Single | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|
| $0 – $11,455: 1% | $0 – $22,911: 1% |
| $11,456 – $27,156: 2% | $22,912 – $54,313: 2% |
| $27,157 – $42,860: 4% | $54,314 – $85,721: 4% |
| $42,861 – $59,497: 6% | $85,722 – $118,995: 6% |
| $59,498 – $75,196: 8% | $118,996 – $150,393: 8% |
| $75,197 – $384,108: 9.3% | $150,394 – $768,217: 9.3% |
| $384,109 – $460,926: 10.3% | $768,218 – $921,853: 10.3% |
| $460,927 – $768,212: 11.3% | $921,854 – $999,999: 11.3% |
| $768,213 – $999,999: 12.3% | $1,000,000 – $1,536,425: 12.3% |
| $1,000,000+: 13.3% | $1,536,426+: 13.3% |
Take-home pay examples in California
Single filer, standard deduction, no 401(k), paid bi-weekly.
| Salary | Take-home / year | / month | / paycheck | State & local tax | Total tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,252 | $2,771 | $1,279 | $548 | 16.9% |
| $60,000 | $48,037 | $4,003 | $1,848 | $1,573 | 19.9% |
| $80,000 | $61,005 | $5,084 | $2,346 | $3,065 | 23.7% |
| $100,000 | $72,969 | $6,081 | $2,807 | $4,911 | 27.0% |
| $150,000 | $102,280 | $8,523 | $3,934 | $9,561 | 31.8% |
Full breakdown by salary: $30,000 · $40,000 · $50,000 · $60,000 · $70,000 · $80,000 · $90,000 · $100,000 · $120,000 · $150,000
Good to know
- California's top marginal rate is 13.3%, including a 1% surtax on taxable income over $1 million.
- In 2026 employees pay 1.3% State Disability Insurance on all wages, with no wage cap.
- California indexed its 2026 brackets by 3.4%, the California CPI change from June 2025 to June 2026.
Also see the California sales tax calculator.
Sources
Paycheck calculators for other states
Frequently asked questions
What is the California income tax rate for 2026?
California has a progressive income tax with 10 brackets for single filers, from 1% to 13.3% for 2026.
How much is $60,000 a year after taxes in California?
A single filer earning $60,000 takes home about $48,037 a year ($4,003 a month) in California, after federal income tax ($5,020), Social Security and Medicare ($4,590) and California income tax ($1,573) and state payroll deductions ($780), using 2026 rules and the standard deduction.
Are 401(k) contributions taxed in California?
No. Traditional 401(k) contributions lower both your federal and California taxable income. They are still subject to Social Security and Medicare.