California Paycheck Calculator

Annual Salary:

Pay Periods Per Year:

Number of Allowances (Form W-4):

Additional Annual Withholding:

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Estimated Paycheck Breakdown

Gross Pay Per Period: $${grossPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2)} Estimated Federal Income Tax: $${estimatedFederalTax.toFixed(2)} Social Security Tax: $${socialSecurityTax.toFixed(2)} Medicare Tax: $${medicareTax.toFixed(2)} Estimated California State Tax: $${estimatedCaliforniaTax.toFixed(2)} California State Disability Insurance (SDI): $${sdiTax.toFixed(2)} Additional Withholding: $${additionalWithholding.toFixed(2)}

Total Estimated Deductions: $${totalEstimatedDeductions.toFixed(2)} Estimated Net Pay Per Period: $${netPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2)} Disclaimer: This is an estimation. Actual withholdings may vary. Consult your tax professional or employer for precise figures. `; }

Understanding Your California Paycheck

Navigating your paycheck in California can seem complex with various deductions. This calculator helps you estimate your net pay per period by considering key factors like your annual salary, pay frequency, and estimated tax withholdings.

Key Components of Your Paycheck:

Gross Pay: This is the total amount of money you earn before any deductions are taken out. It's typically calculated by dividing your annual salary by the number of pay periods in a year.
Federal Income Tax (FITW): This is a mandatory deduction based on your income and the information you provide on your Form W-4, including your filing status and number of allowances. Higher allowances generally mean less tax withheld.
Social Security Tax: A federal tax that funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. In 2024, the rate is 6.2% on earnings up to $168,600.
Medicare Tax: Another federal tax that funds Medicare, a health insurance program. The rate is 1.45% on all earnings, with no wage limit.
California State Income Tax: California has a progressive income tax system, meaning higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes. The exact withholding depends on your income bracket and W-4 information.
California State Disability Insurance (SDI): This program provides benefits to eligible workers who are unable to work due to non-work-related illness or injury. The rate is 1.1% on earnings up to a certain wage limit ($153,216 in 2024).
Additional Withholding: You can voluntarily choose to have more money withheld from each paycheck than is legally required if you want to ensure you don't owe taxes at the end of the year or prefer to receive a larger refund.

How the Calculator Works:

Our California Paycheck Calculator takes your Annual Salary and divides it by your Pay Periods Per Year (e.g., 26 for bi-weekly, 12 for monthly) to determine your gross pay per paycheck. It then applies estimated percentages for federal and state income taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and SDI. The number of Allowances on your W-4 is a simplified factor in estimating federal tax withholding. Any Additional Annual Withholding you specify is also factored in.

Important Disclaimer:

Please remember that this calculator provides an estimation only. The actual amounts withheld from your paycheck can vary due to factors such as:

Changes in tax laws and rates.
Your specific filing status (single, married filing jointly, etc.).
Other deductions like health insurance premiums, 401(k) contributions, or union dues, which are not included in this basic calculator.
The precise tax tables used by your employer's payroll system.

For the most accurate figures, please refer to your official pay stubs or consult with your employer's HR or payroll department, or a qualified tax professional.

Example: If your annual salary is $75,000 and you are paid bi-weekly (26 pay periods per year), your gross pay per period is approximately $2,884.62. With estimated tax rates and 0 allowances, the calculator will show an approximate net pay after deductions.