Understanding your paycheck in California can be complex, with various federal and state taxes, as well as deductions, impacting your take-home pay. This California Payroll Calculator helps you estimate your net pay per pay period, providing a clear breakdown of federal income tax, FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare), California State Income Tax (SIT), and California State Disability Insurance (SDI).
How California Payroll Works
When you earn a salary or wages in California, your employer is required to withhold certain amounts from your gross pay. These withholdings cover federal taxes, state taxes, and sometimes other deductions like retirement contributions or health insurance premiums.
Federal Taxes
Federal Income Tax (FIT): This is a progressive tax, meaning higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income. The amount withheld depends on your gross pay, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household), and the information you provide on your W-4 form.
Social Security Tax: Part of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), this tax funds retirement, disability, and survivor benefits. Employees contribute 6.2% of their wages up to an annual wage base limit (e.g., $168,600 for 2024).
Medicare Tax: Also part of FICA, this tax funds hospital insurance for the elderly and disabled. Employees contribute 1.45% of all wages, with no wage base limit. An additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies to wages exceeding certain thresholds ($200,000 for single filers, $250,000 for married filing jointly).
California State Taxes
California State Income Tax (SIT): Similar to federal income tax, California has its own progressive income tax system. The amount withheld depends on your gross pay, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household, Qualifying Widow(er)), and the allowances you claim on your DE 4 form.
California State Disability Insurance (SDI): This program provides temporary benefits to eligible workers who are unable to work due to non-work-related illness or injury, or for family leave. For 2024, employees contribute 1.1% of their wages, with no annual wage limit.
Deductions
Beyond mandatory taxes, your paycheck may also include various deductions:
Pre-Tax Deductions: These are deductions taken from your gross pay before taxes are calculated, effectively reducing your taxable income. Common examples include contributions to a 401(k) or 403(b) retirement plan, health insurance premiums, or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contributions.
Post-Tax Deductions: These are deductions taken after taxes have been calculated. Examples include Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues, or garnishments.
This calculator provides an estimate based on current tax laws and common withholding methods for 2024. For precise calculations, always consult with a tax professional or your employer's payroll department.
Enter total amount from W-4, Step 3 (Dependents) + Step 4a (Other Adjustments). This calculator uses a simplified allowance system for federal withholding estimation.
California State Withholding Information
Single
Married
Head of Household
Qualifying Widow(er)
Deductions
e.g., 401(k), health insurance premiums.
e.g., Roth 401(k), union dues.
Estimated Paycheck Breakdown
Gross Pay (per period): $0.00
Annual Gross Pay: $0.00
Total Deductions: $0.00
Federal Income Tax: $0.00
Social Security: $0.00
Medicare: $0.00
California State Income Tax: $0.00
California SDI: $0.00
Pre-Tax Deductions: $0.00
Other Post-Tax Deductions: $0.00
Estimated Net Pay (per period): $0.00
Note: This is an estimate based on 2024 tax laws and simplified withholding methods. Actual withholdings may vary based on specific circumstances, additional deductions, and exact tax table implementations.
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function calculatePayroll() {
// Get input values
var grossPay = parseFloat(document.getElementById('grossPay').value);
var payFrequency = parseInt(document.getElementById('payFrequency').value);
var federalFilingStatus = document.getElementById('federalFilingStatus').value;
var federalAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById('federalAllowances').value);
var stateFilingStatus = document.getElementById('stateFilingStatus').value;
var stateAllowances = parseInt(document.getElementById('stateAllowances').value);
var stateDependents = parseInt(document.getElementById('stateDependents').value);
var preTaxDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('preTaxDeductions').value);
var otherDeductions = parseFloat(document.getElementById('otherDeductions').value);
// Validate inputs
if (isNaN(grossPay) || grossPay < 0) {
alert('Please enter a valid Gross Pay per Pay Period.');
return;
}
if (isNaN(federalAllowances) || federalAllowances < 0) {
alert('Please enter a valid number for Federal Allowances.');
return;
}
if (isNaN(stateAllowances) || stateAllowances < 0) {
alert('Please enter a valid number for California Regular Allowances.');
return;
}
if (isNaN(stateDependents) || stateDependents < 0) {
alert('Please enter a valid number for California Dependent Allowances.');
return;
}
if (isNaN(preTaxDeductions) || preTaxDeductions < 0) {
alert('Please enter a valid amount for Pre-Tax Deductions.');
return;
}
if (isNaN(otherDeductions) || otherDeductions additionalMedicareThresholdSingle) {
annualMedicare += (annualTaxableForFICA – additionalMedicareThresholdSingle) * additionalMedicareRate;
} else if (federalFilingStatus === 'married' && annualTaxableForFICA > additionalMedicareThresholdMarried) {
annualMedicare += (annualTaxableForFICA – additionalMedicareThresholdMarried) * additionalMedicareRate;
} else if (federalFilingStatus === 'hoh' && annualTaxableForFICA > additionalMedicareThresholdSingle) { // HOH uses single threshold
annualMedicare += (annualTaxableForFICA – additionalMedicareThresholdSingle) * additionalMedicareRate;
}
var socialSecurityPerPeriod = annualSocialSecurity / payFrequency;
var medicarePerPeriod = annualMedicare / payFrequency;
// — California SDI Tax —
var caSdiRate = 0.011; // 2024, no wage limit
var annualCaSdi = annualGrossPay * caSdiRate;
var caSdiPerPeriod = annualCaSdi / payFrequency;
// — Federal Income Tax (FIT) —
// Simplified Percentage Method for withholding (2024 values)
var federalStandardDeduction;
var federalAllowanceValue = 4700; // 2024 value for withholding purposes
if (federalFilingStatus === 'single') {
federalStandardDeduction = 14600;
} else if (federalFilingStatus === 'married') {
federalStandardDeduction = 29200;
} else if (federalFilingStatus === 'hoh') {
federalStandardDeduction = 21900;
}
var annualTaxableIncomeFederal = annualGrossPay – annualPreTaxDeductions;
annualTaxableIncomeFederal -= federalStandardDeduction;
annualTaxableIncomeFederal -= (federalAllowances * federalAllowanceValue); // Allowances reduce taxable income for withholding
annualTaxableIncomeFederal = Math.max(0, annualTaxableIncomeFederal); // Cannot be negative
var annualFederalTax = 0;
// 2024 Federal Tax Brackets (Simplified for calculator)
// Single / Head of Household (HOH uses single brackets for calculation, but different standard deduction)
if (federalFilingStatus === 'single' || federalFilingStatus === 'hoh') {
if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 11600) {
annualFederalTax = annualTaxableIncomeFederal * 0.10;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 47150) {
annualFederalTax = 1160 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 11600) * 0.12;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 100525) {
annualFederalTax = 5426 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 47150) * 0.22;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 191950) {
annualFederalTax = 17167.50 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 100525) * 0.24;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 243725) {
annualFederalTax = 39111.50 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 191950) * 0.32;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 609350) {
annualFederalTax = 55678.50 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 243725) * 0.35;
} else {
annualFederalTax = 183647.25 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 609350) * 0.37;
}
}
// Married Filing Jointly
else if (federalFilingStatus === 'married') {
if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 23200) {
annualFederalTax = annualTaxableIncomeFederal * 0.10;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 94300) {
annualFederalTax = 2320 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 23200) * 0.12;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 201050) {
annualFederalTax = 10852 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 94300) * 0.22;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 383900) {
annualFederalTax = 34335 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 201050) * 0.24;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 487450) {
annualFederalTax = 78223 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 383900) * 0.32;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeFederal <= 731200) {
annualFederalTax = 111355 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 487450) * 0.35;
} else {
annualFederalTax = 196602.50 + (annualTaxableIncomeFederal – 731200) * 0.37;
}
}
var federalTaxPerPeriod = annualFederalTax / payFrequency;
// — California State Income Tax (SIT) —
var caStandardDeduction;
var caDependentCreditValue = 453; // 2024
if (stateFilingStatus === 'single' || stateFilingStatus === 'married_sep') {
caStandardDeduction = 5302;
} else if (stateFilingStatus === 'married' || stateFilingStatus === 'hoh' || stateFilingStatus === 'qwidower') {
caStandardDeduction = 10604;
}
var annualTaxableIncomeState = annualGrossPay – annualPreTaxDeductions;
annualTaxableIncomeState -= caStandardDeduction;
annualTaxableIncomeState = Math.max(0, annualTaxableIncomeState);
var annualStateTax = 0;
// 2024 CA Tax Brackets
if (stateFilingStatus === 'single' || stateFilingStatus === 'married_sep') {
if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 10412) {
annualStateTax = annualTaxableIncomeState * 0.01;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 24684) {
annualStateTax = 104.12 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 10412) * 0.02;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 38959) {
annualStateTax = 390.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 24684) * 0.04;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 53980) {
annualStateTax = 950.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 38959) * 0.06;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 68252) {
annualStateTax = 1850.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 53980) * 0.08;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 348667) {
annualStateTax = 2987.76 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 68252) * 0.093;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 418399) {
annualStateTax = 29900.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 348667) * 0.103;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 697330) {
annualStateTax = 37100.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 418399) * 0.113;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 1000000) {
annualStateTax = 68800.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 697330) * 0.123;
} else { // Over $1,000,000
annualStateTax = 106000.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 1000000) * 0.133;
}
} else if (stateFilingStatus === 'married' || stateFilingStatus === 'qwidower') {
if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 20824) {
annualStateTax = annualTaxableIncomeState * 0.01;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 49368) {
annualStateTax = 208.24 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 20824) * 0.02;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 77918) {
annualStateTax = 780.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 49368) * 0.04;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 107960) {
annualStateTax = 1900.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 77918) * 0.06;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 136504) {
annualStateTax = 3700.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 107960) * 0.08;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 697334) {
annualStateTax = 5975.52 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 136504) * 0.093;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 836798) {
annualStateTax = 59800.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 697334) * 0.103;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 1394660) {
annualStateTax = 74200.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 836798) * 0.113;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 2000000) {
annualStateTax = 137600.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 1394660) * 0.123;
} else { // Over $2,000,000
annualStateTax = 212000.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 2000000) * 0.133;
}
} else if (stateFilingStatus === 'hoh') {
if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 20830) {
annualStateTax = annualTaxableIncomeState * 0.01;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 49368) {
annualStateTax = 208.30 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 20830) * 0.02;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 63640) {
annualStateTax = 780.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 49368) * 0.04;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 78662) {
annualStateTax = 1340.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 63640) * 0.06;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 92934) {
annualStateTax = 2240.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 78662) * 0.08;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 423700) {
annualStateTax = 3377.76 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 92934) * 0.093;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 508439) {
annualStateTax = 37100.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 423700) * 0.103;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 847398) {
annualStateTax = 45900.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 508439) * 0.113;
} else if (annualTaxableIncomeState <= 1000000) {
annualStateTax = 84700.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 847398) * 0.123;
} else { // Over $1,000,000
annualStateTax = 103400.00 + (annualTaxableIncomeState – 1000000) * 0.133;
}
}
// Apply CA Credits
var totalCaCredits = (stateAllowances * 146) + (stateDependents * caDependentCreditValue);
annualStateTax = Math.max(0, annualStateTax – totalCaCredits);
var stateTaxPerPeriod = annualStateTax / payFrequency;
// — Total Deductions & Net Pay —
var totalTaxDeductionsPerPeriod = socialSecurityPerPeriod + medicarePerPeriod + federalTaxPerPeriod + caSdiPerPeriod + stateTaxPerPeriod;
var totalDeductionsPerPeriod = totalTaxDeductionsPerPeriod + preTaxDeductions + otherDeductions;
var netPayPerPeriod = grossPay – totalDeductionsPerPeriod;
// Display results
document.getElementById('grossPayPerPeriodResult').innerText = grossPay.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('grossPayAnnualResult').innerText = annualGrossPay.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('totalDeductionsResult').innerText = totalDeductionsPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('federalTaxResult').innerText = federalTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('socialSecurityResult').innerText = socialSecurityPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('medicareResult').innerText = medicarePerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('stateTaxResult').innerText = stateTaxPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('sdiResult').innerText = caSdiPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('preTaxDeductionsResult').innerText = preTaxDeductions.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('otherDeductionsResult').innerText = otherDeductions.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('netPayResult').innerText = netPayPerPeriod.toFixed(2);
}