California Paycheck Calculator: Estimate Net Pay & Taxes

California Pay Stub Calculator

The state of California has the highest top marginal income tax rate in the country. This characteristic, coupled with its overall high tax environment, significantly influences the amount of money Californians take home in their paychecks when using a California Pay Stub Calculator. You can also create check stubs using an online paycheck stub generator.

California’s income tax system operates on a progressive basis, meaning that individuals with higher incomes are subject to a greater marginal tax rate. Cities in California levy their own sales taxes but do not charge local income taxes.

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How Does the California Paycheck Calculator Work?

Gross pay is your total income before any deductions are made. It includes your salary based on your hourly rate and the number of hours worked during the pay period.

State Income Tax: California has its state income tax, so the additional funds are withheld from your paycheck to hide your state tax liability. California also has an increasing income tax.

Federal Income Tax: A portion of your earnings is hidden to cover your federal income tax obligations. The amount withheld depends upon several factors, such as your income level and allowances claimed on your W-4 form.

FICA Taxes: These are the deductions for Social Security and Medicare Taxes. Social Security Tax is 6.2%, and Medicare Tax is 1.45% of your gross pay.

State Disability Insurance: California needs to require most employees to contribute to its State Disability Insurance program, which provides benefits for workers who are unable to work due to injury or illness. The current state disability insurance in California is 1.2% of your taxable wage.
Net Pay: This is the amount that you receive in your paycheck after deductions have been made. Your gross pay is subtracted from all the applicable taxes and deductions. Reviewing a paycheck stub template can help employees preview how gross pay, taxes, and deductions are structured on an actual pay stub.

Important Note: The StubCreator provides a paycheck calculator designed to provide essential guidance. This should not be relied upon to calculate exact taxes, payroll, or other financial data. You should seek a professional accountant regarding any particular requirement.

Taxable Base Wage

In California, prior to the removal of the wage limit, only income up to a specified cap was subject to SDI withholding. As of 2026, there is no taxable wage base limit for State Disability Insurance (SDI). This means that all earnings, and the tax applies to every dollar of wages earned during the year.

Year	California Taxable Base Wage
2026	Eliminated
2025	Eliminated
2024	Eliminated
2023	$153,164 yearly
2022	$145,600 yearly
2021	$128,298 yearly
2020	$122,909 yearly

SUTA Rates

The unemployment tax rate for employers with positive balances ranges from 1.5% to 6.2%; for those with negative balances, it will be 6.2% in California in 2026.

There is also no change in the 3.4% tax rate for newly registered enterprises.

Year	California SUTA Rates
2026	1.50% to 6.20% and 3.40%
2025	1.50% to 6.20% and 3.40%
2024	1.50% to 6.20% and 3.40%
2023	1.50% to 6.20% and 3.40%
2022	1.50% to 6.20% and 3.40%

FUTA Rates

A 6% tax rate will apply to the first $7,000 of taxable income that an employee receives each year. Your FUTA tax rate may be lowered to 0.6% if you are eligible for a credit of up to 5.4% if you pay unemployment insurance taxes to the state.

The FUTA tax must be paid by the employer on behalf of its workers. Your workforce is not accountable for the tax.

Year	California FUTA Rates
2026	6% on first $7000
2025	6% on first $7000
2024	6% on first $7000
2023	6% on first $7000
2022	6% on first $7000

FICA Rates

In California, the FICA tax rates for 2024 are as follows:

For Employees and Employers:

Social Security Tax: 6.2% on the first $184,500 of wages
Medicare Tax: 1.45% on all wages

Additional Medicare Taxes

Employees: 0.9% on income over $200,000 for individual taxpayers and $250,000 for joint filers.

Year	California FICA Rates
2025	7.65%
2026	7.65%
2024	7.65%
2023	7.65%
2022	7.65%

Other Taxes

Payroll contributions may also include payments for optional employee benefits or mandated government programs.

State disability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance are two examples.

In California, the ETT rate for 2026 is 0.1%.
In California, the SDI withholding rate for 2026 is 1.3%. Furthermore, there will be no maximum amount to withhold in 2026 due to the absence of a pay cap for SDI withholdings.

Other Deductions on Pay Stub

Any paid time off that your employer offers—for personal, vacation, sick, parental, or other reasons—must be tracked as part of the payroll procedure. You should also think about your retirement plan and the health insurance for your employees.

Here are a few instances:

Retirement Contributions: Money deposited in a 401(k) or some other retirement savings plan
Health Insurance Premiums: The employees’ portion of health insurance costs is not covered by the employer.
Life Insurance Premiums: Employee’s portion of life insurance costs.
Disability Insurance Premiums: Short-term or long-term disability insurance costs.
Union Dues: Fees are paid to the labor union.
Charitable Contributions: Donations to charitable organizations via payroll deduction.
Wage Garnishment: Court-ordered deductions for things such as child support or unpaid debts.

California Payroll Tax Withholding

Every pay period, you will deduct from the employee’s paycheck the amount they have requested to have withheld on Form W-4, together with any additional amount they have requested, and send it to the IRS with their usual federal income tax payment.

California Paycheck Tax Calculator

If you earn $55,000 a year living in the region of California, USA, you will be taxed $9,316. That means that your net pay will be $45,684 per year or $3,807 per month. Your average tax rate is 16.94%, and your marginal tax rate is 24%.

This marginal tax rate means that your immediate additional income will be taxed at this rate. For instance, an increase of $100 in your salary will be taxed at $24. Hence, your net pay will only increase by $76.

California Paystub Generator

Below are the details of California:

The process of California payroll taxes commences with employees completing the DE 4 form. This crucial information aids in calculating the appropriate amount to be withheld.
In the event of life-changing occurrences like marriage, divorce, the arrival of a newborn, or the adoption of a child, employees must ensure that they update DE 4 to reflect any potential tax implications.
The personal income tax rate is 1.0%-13.30%.

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Questionnaires:

How is California state income tax calculated?

California has a progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 1% to 13.3%. Your tax liability is determined based on your taxable income after various deductions. Use our paycheck calculator to estimate your net pay after accounting for California state income tax.

What other deductions should I consider in California?

In addition to state income tax, employees in California may have deductions for federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and other pre-tax benefits can also affect your take-home pay. Input these details in our paycheck calculator for a more accurate estimation.

Are there any specific tax credits or exemptions available in California?

California offers various tax credits and exemptions, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child and Dependent Care Credit, and credits for higher education expenses. Familiarize yourself with these credits and consult with a tax professional to optimize your tax situation.