California Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your 2026 take-home pay in California. Enter your gross pay, pay frequency and filing status — this free California paycheck calculator subtracts federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and California state income tax to show what lands in your bank account each payday. Runs entirely in your browser.
In 2026, California has graduated rates from 1% to 13.3% on wage and salary income. The 2026 standard deduction is $5,540 for single filers and $11,080 for joint filers. A $153 per-filer credit ($306 joint) is subtracted from the computed tax. Enter your pay above to estimate your California take-home pay after federal tax, FICA, and California income tax.
California 2026 Income Tax Brackets
| Single: taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $11,079 | 1% |
| $11,079 – $26,264 | 2% |
| $26,264 – $41,452 | 4% |
| $41,452 – $57,542 | 6% |
| $57,542 – $72,724 | 8% |
| $72,724 – $371,479 | 9.3% |
| $371,479 – $445,771 | 10.3% |
| $445,771 – $742,953 | 11.3% |
| $742,953 – $1,000,000 | 12.3% |
| Over $1,000,000 | 13.3% |
| Joint: taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $22,158 | 1% |
| $22,158 – $52,528 | 2% |
| $52,528 – $82,904 | 4% |
| $82,904 – $115,084 | 6% |
| $115,084 – $145,448 | 8% |
| $145,448 – $742,958 | 9.3% |
| $742,958 – $891,542 | 10.3% |
| $891,542 – $1,000,000 | 11.3% |
| $1,000,000 – $1,485,906 | 12.3% |
| Over $1,485,906 | 13.3% |
Marginal rates: only income inside each band is taxed at that band's rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the California income tax brackets for 2026?
For 2026, California uses graduated brackets ranging from 1% on the first dollars of taxable income up to 13.3% at the top. See the full bracket table above — remember that only income inside each band is taxed at that band's rate.
What is the California standard deduction for 2026?
For 2026 it is $5,540 for single filers and $11,080 for married couples filing jointly.
How accurate is this California paycheck estimate?
It is an annualized estimate: your gross wages minus the 2026 standard deduction (and any state exemptions/credits shown), run through 2026 marginal brackets. It does not include pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions or health insurance premiums, itemized deductions, or local income taxes. Your employer's actual per-paycheck withholding can differ.
Are local or city income taxes included?
No. Several states — including Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Michigan, Missouri, Indiana, Kentucky, and Oregon — have county, city, or school-district income taxes that this calculator does not model. If you work in one of those places, your real take-home pay will be lower than shown.
Sources
Tax figures verified September 2026 for tax year 2026.
Estimate only — not tax advice. This calculator annualizes your gross wages, subtracts the 2026 standard deduction (and state personal exemptions/credits where shown), and applies 2026 marginal brackets. It does not model pre-tax deductions (401(k), health insurance), itemized deductions, credits you may qualify for, phaseouts, or local/city/county income taxes. Your employer's per-paycheck withholding may differ. Consult a tax professional for your situation.