South Carolina Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your net pay in South Carolina with our comprehensive paycheck calculator. Understand how federal, state, and FICA taxes, along with your deductions, impact your take-home pay.
Understanding Your South Carolina Paycheck
A paycheck calculator helps you estimate your take-home pay after all federal, state, and local taxes, as well as any pre-tax and post-tax deductions, are applied. This is crucial for budgeting, financial planning, and understanding your true earnings.
Key Components of Your Paycheck:
- Gross Pay: This is your total earnings before any deductions. It's calculated based on your hourly wage or annual salary and your pay frequency.
- Pre-Tax Deductions: These are amounts deducted from your gross pay before taxes are calculated. Common examples include contributions to a 401(k) or traditional IRA, health insurance premiums, and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). These deductions reduce your taxable income, leading to lower tax liabilities.
- Federal Income Tax: The amount withheld for the U.S. federal government. This is determined by your gross pay, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly), and any dependents or other adjustments you claim on your W-4 form. The federal tax system is progressive, meaning higher earners pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes.
- FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare): These are mandatory federal taxes that fund Social Security and Medicare programs.
- Social Security: Currently 6.2% of your gross pay, up to an annual wage base limit ($168,600 for 2024).
- Medicare: Currently 1.45% of all your gross pay, with no wage base limit. An additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies to wages over certain thresholds ($200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for married filing jointly).
- South Carolina State Income Tax: South Carolina has a progressive income tax system. The amount withheld depends on your taxable income, filing status, and the number of allowances you claim on your SC W-4 form. SC's tax brackets range from 0% to 7%.
- Post-Tax Deductions: These are amounts deducted from your pay after all taxes have been calculated and withheld. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues, garnishments, or certain charitable contributions.
- Net Pay: This is your take-home pay – the amount you actually receive after all deductions and taxes have been subtracted from your gross pay.
How to Use This Calculator:
Simply input your gross pay per pay period, select your pay frequency, and provide details about your federal and South Carolina tax situations, including filing status, dependents/allowances, and any additional withholdings. Enter any pre-tax or post-tax deductions you have. The calculator will then provide an estimate of your net pay and a breakdown of your deductions.
Important Disclaimer:
This calculator provides an estimate for informational purposes only. Actual withholdings may vary based on specific tax laws, individual circumstances, and other factors not accounted for here. It is recommended to consult with a qualified tax professional for personalized advice.
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function calculatePaycheck() {
var grossPay = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossPay').value);
var payFrequencyMultiplier = parseFloat(document.getElementById('payFrequency').value);
var federalFilingStatus = document.getElementById('federalFilingStatus').value;
var federalDependents = parseInt(document.getElementById('federalDependents').value);
var otherFederalIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('otherFederalIncome').value);
var otherFederalDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('otherFederalDeductions').value);
var additionalFederalWithholding = parseFloat(document.getElementById('additionalFederalWithholding').value);
var scFilingStatus = document.getElementById('scFilingStatus').value;
var scAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById('scAllowances').value);
var additionalScWithholding = parseFloat(document.getElementById('additionalScWithholding').value);
var preTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('preTaxDeductions').value);
var postTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('postTaxDeductions').value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(grossPay) || grossPay < 0) grossPay = 0;
if (isNaN(federalDependents) || federalDependents < 0) federalDependents = 0;
if (isNaN(otherFederalIncome) || otherFederalIncome < 0) otherFederalIncome = 0;
if (isNaN(otherFederalDeductions) || otherFederalDeductions < 0) otherFederalDeductions = 0;
if (isNaN(additionalFederalWithholding) || additionalFederalWithholding < 0) additionalFederalWithholding = 0;
if (isNaN(scAllowances) || scAllowances < 0) scAllowances = 0;
if (isNaN(additionalScWithholding) || additionalScWithholding < 0) additionalScWithholding = 0;
if (isNaN(preTaxDeductions) || preTaxDeductions < 0) preTaxDeductions = 0;
if (isNaN(postTaxDeductions) || postTaxDeductions additionalMedicareThreshold) {
annualMedicareTax += (taxableForFICA – additionalMedicareThreshold) * 0.009;
}
var perPeriodSocialSecurityTax = annualSocialSecurityTax / payFrequencyMultiplier;
var perPeriodMedicareTax = annualMedicareTax / payFrequencyMultiplier;
var totalFicaTaxPerPeriod = perPeriodSocialSecurityTax + perPeriodMedicareTax;
// — Federal Income Tax —
var annualTaxableIncomeFederal = annualGrossPay – annualPreTaxDeductions;
// Standard Deduction (2024)
var federalStandardDeduction;
if (federalFilingStatus === 'single') {
federalStandardDeduction = 14600;
} else { // married
federalStandardDeduction = 29200;
}
// Child Tax Credit (simplified for calculation, reducing tax liability)
var childTaxCredit = federalDependents * 2000; // Max credit per child
annualTaxableIncomeFederal = Math.max(0, annualTaxableIncomeFederal – federalStandardDeduction – otherFederalDeductions);
annualTaxableIncomeFederal += otherFederalIncome; // Add other income to taxable base
var annualFederalTax = 0;
// 2024 Federal Tax Brackets (simplified for calculator)
if (federalFilingStatus === 'single') {
if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 11600) annualFederalTax = annualTaxableIncomeFederal * 0.10;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 47150) annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 11600) * 0.12;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 100525) annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 47150) * 0.22;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 191950) annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 100525) * 0.24;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 243725) annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 191950) * 0.32;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 609350) annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (243725 – 191950) * 0.32 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 243725) * 0.35;
else annualFederalTax = 11600 * 0.10 + (47150 – 11600) * 0.12 + (100525 – 47150) * 0.22 + (191950 – 100525) * 0.24 + (243725 – 191950) * 0.32 + (609350 – 243725) * 0.35 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 609350) * 0.37;
} else { // married
if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 23200) annualFederalTax = annualTaxableIncomeFederal * 0.10;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 94300) annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 23200) * 0.12;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 201050) annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 94300) * 0.22;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 383900) annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 201050) * 0.24;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 487450) annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 383900) * 0.32;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 731200) annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (487450 – 383900) * 0.32 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 487450) * 0.35;
else annualFederalTax = 23200 * 0.10 + (94300 – 23200) * 0.12 + (201050 – 94300) * 0.22 + (383900 – 201050) * 0.24 + (487450 – 383900) * 0.32 + (731200 – 487450) * 0.35 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 731200) * 0.37;
}
annualFederalTax = Math.max(0, annualFederalTax – childTaxCredit); // Apply child tax credit
var perPeriodFederalTax = (annualFederalTax / payFrequencyMultiplier) + additionalFederalWithholding;
perPeriodFederalTax = Math.max(0, perPeriodFederalTax); // Ensure tax is not negative
// — South Carolina State Income Tax —
var annualTaxableIncomeSC = annualGrossPay – annualPreTaxDeductions;
// SC Standard Deduction (2024)
var scStandardDeduction = 3500; // Or 5% of income, up to $3,500. Using fixed $3,500 for simplicity.
var scAllowanceDeduction = scAllowances * 2700; // Each allowance reduces taxable income by $2,700
annualTaxableIncomeSC = Math.max(0, annualTaxableIncomeSC – scStandardDeduction – scAllowanceDeduction);
var annualSCTax = 0;
// 2024 SC Tax Brackets (simplified)
if (annualTaxableIncomeSC <= 3200) annualSCTax = 0; // 0%
else if (annualTaxableIncomeSC <= 6400) annualSCTax = (annualTaxableIncomeSC – 3200) * 0.03;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeSC <= 9600) annualSCTax = (3200 * 0.00) + (3200 * 0.03) + (annualTaxableIncomeSC – 6400) * 0.04;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeSC <= 12800) annualSCTax = (3200 * 0.00) + (3200 * 0.03) + (3200 * 0.04) + (annualTaxableIncomeSC – 9600) * 0.05;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeSC <= 16000) annualSCTax = (3200 * 0.00) + (3200 * 0.03) + (3200 * 0.04) + (3200 * 0.05) + (annualTaxableIncomeSC – 12800) * 0.06;
else if (annualTaxableIncomeSC <= 19200) annualSCTax = (3200 * 0.00) + (3200 * 0.03) + (3200 * 0.04) + (3200 * 0.05) + (3200 * 0.06) + (annualTaxableIncomeSC – 16000) * 0.065;
else annualSCTax = (3200 * 0.00) + (3200 * 0.03) + (3200 * 0.04) + (3200 * 0.05) + (3200 * 0.06) + (3200 * 0.065) + (annualTaxableIncomeSC – 19200) * 0.07;
var perPeriodSCTax = (annualSCTax / payFrequencyMultiplier) + additionalScWithholding;
perPeriodSCTax = Math.max(0, perPeriodSCTax); // Ensure tax is not negative
// — Total Deductions and Net Pay —
var totalDeductionsPerPeriod = preTaxDeductions + totalFicaTaxPerPeriod + perPeriodFederalTax + perPeriodSCTax + postTaxDeductions;
var netPay = grossPay – totalDeductionsPerPeriod;
// Display Results
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('result');
resultDiv.innerHTML =
'
Your Estimated Paycheck Breakdown:
' +
'
Gross Pay: $' + grossPay.toFixed(2) + " +
'
Pre-Tax Deductions: $' + preTaxDeductions.toFixed(2) + " +
'
Federal Income Tax: $' + perPeriodFederalTax.toFixed(2) + " +
'
Social Security Tax: $' + perPeriodSocialSecurityTax.toFixed(2) + " +
'
Medicare Tax: $' + perPeriodMedicareTax.toFixed(2) + " +
'
SC State Income Tax: $' + perPeriodSCTax.toFixed(2) + " +
'
Post-Tax Deductions: $' + postTaxDeductions.toFixed(2) + " +
'
Total Deductions: $' + totalDeductionsPerPeriod.toFixed(2) + " +
'
Net Pay: $' + netPay.toFixed(2) + '';
}
// Run calculation on page load with default values
window.onload = calculatePaycheck;