California Paycheck Calculator
Free California paycheck calculator. Estimate your take-home pay with current California state tax rates and federal withholdings. Calculate federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and California state withholdings instantly.
What you should know about California taxes
California has the highest top marginal tax rate in the nation at 13.3%. Combined with federal taxes, high earners in CA can pay over 50% in income tax. The state also charges SDI and PFL which add about 1.1% on top.
California Income Tax Brackets — 2026
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income Range |
|---|---|
| 1% | $0 – $10,099 |
| 2% | $10,100 – $23,942 |
| 4% | $23,943 – $37,788 |
| 6% | $37,789 – $52,455 |
| 8% | $52,456 – $66,295 |
| 9.3% | $66,296 – $338,639 |
| 10.3% | $338,640 – $406,364 |
| 11.3% | $406,365 – $677,275 |
| 12.3% | $677,276 – $1,000,000 |
| 13.3% | $1,000,001+ |
California's 10-Bracket Tax System
California has ten tax brackets — more than any other state. Rates start at 1% on your first $10,099 and climb all the way to 13.3% on income above $1 million. For most workers earning between $50K and $120K, you will land in the 8% or 9.3% bracket. The 9.3% rate covers a huge range ($66K to $339K), so many professionals stay in that bracket for years. California also adds a 1% Mental Health Services Tax on income over $1 million. The standard deduction for 2026 is $5,363 for single filers.
SDI, PFL, and Other California-Specific Deductions
Beyond income tax, California paychecks include State Disability Insurance (SDI) at 1.1% of wages up to $153,164, and Paid Family Leave (PFL) which comes out of that same SDI contribution. These are mandatory — every W-2 employee in California pays into SDI. There is no local income tax in any California city (not even San Francisco or LA), but if you are self-employed, you owe an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on earnings over $200K. For gig workers in LA or San Diego, 1099 income is hit especially hard because you pay both halves of FICA.