How California taxes your paycheck in 2026
California has nine income tax brackets from 1% to 12.3%, and every worker also pays 1.3% for State Disability Insurance (SDI).
- California's standard deduction is small — $5,900 for single filers in 2026, compared with $16,100 federally — so more of your pay is taxed by the state than by the IRS.
- SDI is 1.3% of every dollar you earn in 2026, with no wage cap. It funds state disability and Paid Family Leave benefits.
- Income above $1 million pays an extra 1% Mental Health Services Tax, which makes the top rate 13.3%.
- California cities don't charge their own income tax on wages, so there's no local tax line on your paycheck.
California 2026 income tax brackets
| Rate | Single | Married filing jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 1% | $0 – $11,456 | $0 – $22,912 |
| 2% | $11,456 – $27,157 | $22,912 – $54,314 |
| 4% | $27,157 – $42,861 | $54,314 – $85,722 |
| 6% | $42,861 – $59,498 | $85,722 – $118,996 |
| 8% | $59,498 – $75,197 | $118,996 – $150,394 |
| 9.3% | $75,197 – $384,109 | $150,394 – $768,218 |
| 10.3% | $384,109 – $460,927 | $768,218 – $921,854 |
| 11.3% | $460,927 – $768,213 | $921,854 – $1,536,426 |
| 12.3% | Over $768,213 | Over $1,536,426 |
Brackets apply to taxable income, after the state standard deduction.
Take-home pay in California at common salaries
| Salary | Take-home per year | Every 2 weeks | California taxes | Total tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,252 | $1,279 | $1,068 | 16.9% |
| $60,000 | $48,037 | $1,848 | $2,353 | 19.9% |
| $75,000 | $57,952 | $2,229 | $3,640 | 22.7% |
| $100,000 | $72,969 | $2,807 | $6,211 | 27.0% |
| $150,000 | $102,280 | $3,934 | $11,511 | 31.8% |
Single filer, paid every two weeks, no 401(k) or pre-tax benefits, excluding local taxes.
Example
A single filer in California earning $75,000 a year, paid every two weeks with no 401(k), takes home about $2,229 per paycheck, or $57,952 a year. Federal income tax is about $7,670, Social Security and Medicare $5,738, and California taxes $3,640.
Not in California?
Use our main paycheck calculator for any state, or browse paycheck calculators by state.
This calculator estimates your yearly tax and spreads it evenly across paychecks. Your employer's withholding depends on your W-4 and state forms, so individual paychecks can differ slightly. It doesn't include tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit.
Common questions
How much is taken out of a paycheck in California?
Expect federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), California income tax (1%–12.3%) and SDI (1.3%). For a single filer earning $75,000, taxes take about 23% of gross pay, leaving roughly $57,950 a year.
What is the California SDI rate for 2026?
1.3% of all wages, with no maximum. It's up from 1.2% in 2025.
What is the California standard deduction for 2026?
$5,900 for single filers and $11,800 for married couples filing jointly or heads of household.
How much is $75,000 a year after taxes in California?
About $57,952 a year, or $2,229 every two weeks, for a single filer with no 401(k) contributions.
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Last updated .