How it works
The calculator starts from your gross pay for the year and takes out, in order: pre-tax 401(k) and health insurance, federal income tax (2026 brackets after the standard deduction, minus $2,200 per child and $500 per other dependent), Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% above $200,000), and state and local taxes. Then it divides by the number of paychecks in a year.
Take-home = gross − pre-tax deductions − federal tax − Social Security − Medicare − state and local taxes
California income tax uses the 2026 withholding schedule (EDD Method B), with one allowance for single filers, two for married couples, plus one per dependent. California SDI is 1.3% of all wages in 2026, with no cap.
Worked example
A single worker in California earning $60,000 a year, paid every two weeks, no 401(k): federal income tax $5,020, Social Security $3,720, Medicare $870, California tax about $1,803 a year and SDI $780. Take-home is about $1,838.71 per paycheck.
Frequently asked questions
What is the California income tax rate in 2026?
1% to 12.3%, plus a 1% mental health tax on income over $1 million. Withholding tables use slightly higher rates (1.1% to 14.63%) so enough is held back.
What is CA SDI on my paycheck?
State Disability Insurance. In 2026 it's 1.3% of all your wages, with no maximum.
Does California tax my 401(k) contributions?
No. Traditional 401(k) contributions are taken off before California income tax, like federal tax.
Is this paycheck calculator exact?
No, it's an estimate. It uses 2026 tax tables and the standard deduction, but your real paycheck also depends on your W-4, other deductions and your employer's payroll system.
What is the 2026 Social Security wage limit?
$184,500. Social Security tax (6.2%) stops once you've earned that much in the year. Medicare (1.45%) has no limit, and an extra 0.9% applies above $200,000.
How much is the 2026 standard deduction?
$16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household.