California payroll · 2026
California paycheck calculator.
A California paycheck loses federal income tax withholding, FICA, California income tax withholding (EDD DE 44 Method B, with your DE 4 allowances) and State Disability Insurance at 1.3% of wages. Everything runs in your browser.
Your pay
Estimated California paycheck (2026)
California worked example
- Gross pay $3,400.00 (every two weeks, single), minus $110.00 section 125 and $170.00 traditional 401(k) = $280.00 pre-tax.
- Federal income tax withholding (IRS Pub. 15-T percentage method): $346.78.
- Social Security 6.2% and Medicare 1.45% of $3,290.00: $203.98 and $47.71.
- California income tax (DE 44 Method B, 1 allowance, annualised): $139.58.
- California SDI (includes Paid Family Leave): $44.20.
- Take-home: $2,337.75 per pay period, about $60,782 a year. Total taxes are 23.01% of gross.
Federal income tax uses Form W-4 (2020 or later) with the Step 2 box unchecked and no Step 3 or Step 4 entries; use the U.S. paycheck calculator if you need those.
California take-home pay at common salaries
Single filer, paid every two weeks, no pre-tax deductions, one allowance. Annual figures after federal tax, FICA and the state items this page models.
| Salary | California take-home / year | Texas take-home / year | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,159 | $34,320 | −$1,161 |
| $60,000 | $47,806 | $50,390 | −$2,583 |
| $80,000 | $60,555 | $65,110 | −$4,554 |
| $100,000 | $72,320 | $79,180 | −$6,860 |
| $150,000 | $101,165 | $113,791 | −$12,626 |
How it is calculated
Federal withholding is IRS Publication 15-T (2026) Worksheet 1A for a Form W-4 from 2020 or later: annualise taxable wages, subtract the $8,600 standard amount ($12,900 if married filing jointly), apply the annual percentage-method table, and divide by pay periods. Social Security is 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, Medicare is 1.45% with no limit, and Additional Medicare Tax is 0.9% beyond $200,000 in the year (IRS Publication 15, 2026). California: income-tax wages are gross pay minus the pre-tax amounts you enter, multiplied by pay periods. Per EDD DE 44 Method B annual tables, wages at or under the low-income exemption ($18,896; $37,791 for head of household or married with two or more allowances) have no tax; otherwise subtract the standard deduction ($5,706; $11,412 for head of household or married with two or more allowances), apply the annual rate table, subtract $168.30 per allowance, and divide by pay periods. SDI is 1.3% of gross pay with no wage limit. This estimate subtracts both pre-tax entries from California wages; confirm your employer’s treatment. Not covered: W-4s from 2019 or earlier, bonuses and other supplemental wages (flat-rate rules apply), local taxes unless stated, and wage bracket method rounding.
Sources and as-of dates
- California EDD DE 44, California Employer’s Guide (Rev. 52, 4-26): Method B tables and 2026 SDI rate
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
- IRS Publication 15 (2026), Employer’s Tax Guide
- Figures retrieved October 2026. Federal and state agencies republish these tables each year; this tool covers 2026 only.
FAQ
What is California SDI?
The California EDD DE 44 sets the 2026 State Disability Insurance withholding rate at 1.3%, which funds both State Disability Insurance and Paid Family Leave. It states there is no SDI taxable wage limit beginning January 1, 2024, so the 1.3% applies to all wages. This calculator applies it to the gross pay you enter.
How does this calculator work out California withholding?
It annualises your income-tax wages (gross minus the pre-tax amounts you enter), applies the DE 44 Method B annual standard deduction and low-income exemption, the annual tax rate table for your filing status, then subtracts $168.30 for each regular allowance and divides by pay periods. DE 44 states employers may figure tax on an annual basis and prorate it, so cents can differ from your employer’s per-period table.
What if I am married and my spouse works?
DE 44 recommends that married employees with employed spouses avoid under-withholding by using the single filing status for both, or by withholding an additional flat amount. Choose “Single” here to see that case.
How does California take-home pay compare with Texas?
For a single filer paid $75,000 a year every two weeks with no pre-tax deductions, this calculator gives about $57,565 a year in California and $61,592 in Texas, $4,027 less in California. See the full list on the paycheck calculator by state.
Why does my real paycheck differ from this estimate?
Employers may use the wage bracket method, round differently, apply your exact Form W-4 and state withholding certificate, and withhold local, benefit and other amounts this tool does not model. Treat the result as an estimate, not tax advice.
Does a 401(k) deferral lower Social Security and Medicare tax?
No. Per IRS Publication 15, elective 401(k) deferrals are exempt from federal income tax withholding but remain subject to Social Security and Medicare tax. Section 125 cafeteria-plan benefits such as health premiums generally are not.
When does Social Security tax stop?
After an employee’s wages for the year reach the 2026 wage base limit of $184,500. Enter wages already paid this year to see the cap applied to this check. Medicare has no limit; Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% applies above $200,000.