📍 California State Payroll Rules (2026)

California Paycheck Calculator (2026)

Calculate your net take-home pay in California after 2026 federal income tax, state tax, and FICA deductions. Free, instant, and accurate.

Calculate Take-Home Pay

Tax Year 2026
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Bi-Weekly Take-Home Pay
$2,091.72
Effective Tax Rate: 22.30%
  • Gross Pay $2,692.31
  • Federal Income Tax $252.69
  • FICA (Social Security & Medicare) $205.96
  • State & Local Withholding $141.94
  • Total Estimated Deductions $600.59

Important note on the California salary paycheck calculator: The calculator on this page is provided through Codexa Tools and is designed to provide general guidance and estimates based on official 2026 IRS Publication 15-T and state revenue withholding guidelines. It should not be relied upon to calculate exact taxes, payroll, or legal financial obligations. These calculators are not intended to provide tax, legal, or accounting advice and do not represent a substitute for certified payroll processing. You should refer to a professional advisor, CPA, or licensed accountant regarding any specific requirements, local tax ordinances, or financial concerns.

California Tax & Payroll Breakdown

Progressive Income Tax Brackets: 1.1% to 14.63% (10 Progressive Brackets + 1.3% SDI)

California uses progressive marginal tax brackets. Your income is divided into tiers with different tax rates applied to each portion after subtracting state standard deductions.

California SDI Deductions: California levies an uncapped 0.9% State Disability Insurance (SDI) payroll deduction on all gross earnings without a maximum wage limit.
Payroll Metric California Statutory Policy (2026)
Baseline Minimum Wage $16.50 / hour
State Withholding Form Form DE 4 (Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate)
Tax Compliance Agency California Employment Development Department (EDD)
Standard Overtime Multiplier 1.5x after 40 hours per week or after 8 hours per day
Single Standard Deduction $5,706.00
Married Filing Jointly Deduction $11,412.00

Overtime Statute: California requires daily overtime: 1.5× regular pay after 8 hours in a workday, and 2.0× (double time) after 12 hours in a workday or after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day.

Sample 2026 California Take-Home Pay by Wage Tier

Estimated bi-weekly and annual net earnings for standard salary tiers in California (Single Filer, Standard Deduction, 2026 Federal & State Tax Tables).

Gross Salary Bi-Weekly Net Annual Net Federal Tax FICA Tax State Tax Net %
$35,000 ($16.83/hr) $1,125.32 $29,258 $2,020 $2,678 $589 83.6%
$55,000 ($26.44/hr) $1,692.91 $44,016 $4,420 $4,208 $1,642 80%
$75,000 ($36.06/hr) $2,207.58 $57,397 $7,670 $5,738 $3,220 76.5%
$100,000 ($48.08/hr) $2,775.04 $72,151 $13,170 $7,650 $5,729 72.2%
$150,000 ($72.12/hr) $3,884.51 $100,997 $24,734 $11,475 $10,844 67.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

How is California state income tax calculated on my paycheck in 2026? +

California enforces progressive marginal tax brackets ranging from 1.1% to 14.63% (10 Progressive Brackets + 1.3% SDI). As your earnings increase, higher portions of your wage cross into higher marginal tax tiers after subtracting your allowable deductions. The 2026 California standard deduction for single filers is $5,706. Keep in mind: <strong>California SDI Deductions:</strong> California levies an uncapped 0.9% State Disability Insurance (SDI) payroll deduction on all gross earnings without a maximum wage limit.

What is the 2026 minimum wage and overtime law in California? +

The 2026 baseline statutory minimum wage in California is $16.50 per hour. Overtime is calculated as 1.5x after 40 hours per week or after 8 hours per day. Detailed rule: California requires daily overtime: 1.5× regular pay after 8 hours in a workday, and 2.0× (double time) after 12 hours in a workday or after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day.

Which state withholding certificate form is required in California? +

Employees in California submit Form DE 4 (Employee Withholding Allowance Certificate) to their employer upon hire. Administered by the California Employment Development Department (EDD), this form specifies your filing status and allowances to calculate accurate state tax withholding.

How do pre-tax 401(k) and health insurance deductions affect California tax? +

Pre-tax deductions such as traditional 401(k), 403(b), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA) reduce your gross taxable income for both federal tax and California state income tax. However, mandatory FICA payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare) still apply to your total gross earnings before 401(k) contributions.

Browse All 50 US State Paycheck Calculators

Accurate 2026 state withholding rates, standard deductions, and overtime rules for every US state.

AL
Alabama
2.0% - 5.0% Progressive (Federal Tax Deductible)
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AK
Alaska
★ 0% State Tax
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AZ
Arizona
2.5% Flat Rate
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AR
Arkansas
2.0% - 4.4% Progressive
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CA
California
1.1% to 14.63% (10 Progressive Brackets + 1.3% SDI)
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CO
Colorado
4.4% Flat Rate + 0.44% FAMLI
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CT
Connecticut
3.0% - 6.99% Progressive
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DE
Delaware
2.2% - 6.6% Progressive
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DC
District of Columbia
4.0% - 10.75% Progressive
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FL
Florida
★ 0% State Tax
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GA
Georgia
5.39% Flat Rate
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HI
Hawaii
1.4% - 11.0% Progressive
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ID
Idaho
5.695% Flat Rate
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IL
Illinois
4.95% Flat Rate
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IN
Indiana
3.05% Flat Rate
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IA
Iowa
3.8% Flat Rate
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KS
Kansas
3.1% - 5.7% Progressive
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KY
Kentucky
4.0% Flat Rate
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LA
Louisiana
1.85% - 4.25% Progressive
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ME
Maine
5.8% - 7.15% Progressive
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MD
Maryland
2.0% - 5.75% Progressive
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MA
Massachusetts
5.0% Flat Rate (+4% Millionaires Surtax)
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MI
Michigan
4.25% Flat Rate
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MN
Minnesota
5.35% - 9.85% Progressive
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MS
Mississippi
4.7% Flat Rate
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MO
Missouri
2.0% - 4.8% Progressive (Federal Tax Deductible up to $5k)
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MT
Montana
4.7% - 5.9% Progressive
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NE
Nebraska
2.46% - 5.84% Progressive
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NV
Nevada
★ 0% State Tax
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NH
New Hampshire
★ 0% State Tax
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NJ
New Jersey
1.4% - 10.75% Progressive
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NM
New Mexico
1.7% - 5.9% Progressive
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NY
New York
4.0% - 10.9% Progressive + 0.373% PFL
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NC
North Carolina
4.5% Flat Rate
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ND
North Dakota
1.95% - 2.5% Progressive
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OH
Ohio
Ohio graduated state income tax rates (2026 updated via Admin)
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OK
Oklahoma
0.25% - 4.75% Progressive
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OR
Oregon
4.75% - 9.9% Progressive (Federal Tax Deductible up to $8.55k)
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PA
Pennsylvania
3.07% Flat Rate
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RI
Rhode Island
3.75% - 5.99% Progressive
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SC
South Carolina
0% - 6.4% Progressive
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SD
South Dakota
★ 0% State Tax
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TN
Tennessee
★ 0% State Tax
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TX
Texas
★ 0% State Tax
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UT
Utah
4.65% Flat Rate
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VT
Vermont
3.35% - 8.75% Progressive
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VA
Virginia
2.0% - 5.75% Progressive
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WA
Washington
★ 0% State Tax
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WV
West Virginia
2.36% - 5.12% Progressive
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WI
Wisconsin
3.54% - 7.65% Progressive
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WY
Wyoming
★ 0% State Tax
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