Washington payroll · 2026
Washington paycheck calculator.
Washington has no individual income tax, but two employee-paid programs still reduce a Washington paycheck: the WA Cares Fund premium (0.58% of gross wages) and the employee share of Paid Family and Medical Leave. Everything runs in your browser.
Your pay
Estimated Washington paycheck (2026)
Washington worked example
- Gross pay $3,600.00 (every two weeks, single), minus $150.00 section 125 and $180.00 traditional 401(k) = $330.00 pre-tax.
- Federal income tax withholding (IRS Pub. 15-T percentage method): $379.78.
- Social Security 6.2% and Medicare 1.45% of $3,450.00: $213.90 and $50.03.
- WA Cares Fund (long-term care): $20.88.
- Paid Family & Medical Leave (employee share): $29.06.
- Take-home: $2,576.35 per pay period, about $66,985 a year. Total taxes are 19.27% 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.
Washington take-home pay at common salaries
Single filer, paid every two weeks, no pre-tax deductions. Annual figures after federal tax, FICA and the state items this page models.
| Salary | Washington take-home / year | Texas take-home / year | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,765 | $34,320 | −$555 |
| $60,000 | $49,558 | $50,390 | −$832 |
| $80,000 | $64,000 | $65,110 | −$1,110 |
| $100,000 | $77,793 | $79,180 | −$1,387 |
| $150,000 | $111,710 | $113,791 | −$2,081 |
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). Washington adds no income tax. WA Cares is 0.58% of gross pay with no cap. Paid Family and Medical Leave is 1.13% x 71.43% = about 0.807% of gross pay until year-to-date wages reach the $184,500 Social Security cap. Both are applied to the gross pay you enter, before pre-tax deductions, which can overstate them slightly if some of your pay is exempt from premiums. 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
- Washington Department of Revenue: Income tax (“does not currently have an individual income tax”)
- Washington Paid Leave: Estimate your Paid Leave payments (1.13% premium, 71.43% employee share, WA Cares 0.58%)
- 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 are the WA Cares and Paid Leave deductions?
Washington Paid Leave states that the 2026 Paid Family and Medical Leave premium is 1.13% of each employee’s gross wages (excluding tips) up to the $184,500 Social Security cap, with employees paying 71.43% of it, about 0.807% of wages. The WA Cares Fund premium is 0.58% of gross wages with no cap and is paid by the employee. This calculator applies both to the gross pay you enter.
Is Washington getting an income tax?
The Washington Department of Revenue says the state does not currently have an individual income tax. Senate Bill 6346, passed in 2026, creates a 9.9% tax from January 1, 2028 on individuals and joint filers with adjusted gross income above $1 million, with first returns due April 2029. It does not apply to 2026 paychecks.
How does Washington take-home pay compare with Texas?
For a single filer paid $85,000 a year every two weeks with no pre-tax deductions, this calculator gives about $67,448 a year in Washington and $68,628 in Texas, $1,179 less in Washington. 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.