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Bonus Paycheck Tax Calculator

Calculate how much you'll take home from a bonus paycheck, including annual, sign-on, retention, spot, and performance bonuses.

Your bonus take-home

$2,941

from $5,000 bonusFor a $5,000 bonus · California · single

Take-home 59%Taxes 41%
Bonus amount$5,000
Federal tax−$1,100
State tax−$512
CA SDI−$65
Social Security−$310
Medicare−$73
Net bonus$2,941

Estimate based on 2026 federal and California tax rules updated Oct 2026 How we calculate

Your details

Taxation method

Most common: a flat 22% federal rate is withheld on the bonus.

More options Base salary

How your bonus is taxed

Bonuses are taxed differently than regular income, which is why they can seem more heavily taxed.

  • Federal supplemental rate: Most employers withhold 22% federal tax (or 37% for bonuses over $1 million) using the flat supplemental rate method.
  • State taxes: Varies by state: some use flat supplemental rates, others calculate based on your total annual income.
  • FICA taxes: Social Security (6.2% up to the wage base) and Medicare (1.45% base, plus 0.9% for high earners) apply to bonuses.
  • Over-withholding: The flat supplemental rate often withholds more than you'll actually owe. You'll receive a refund when you file your tax return.

Your actual tax on the bonus is calculated based on your total annual income and tax bracket, not the withholding rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bonuses are typically taxed at a flat federal supplemental rate of 22% (or 37% for bonuses over $1 million), plus state taxes and FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare). This flat rate withholding is often higher than your effective tax rate, which is why bonuses can seem more heavily taxed than regular income.

The flat supplemental rate method applies a fixed 22% federal withholding rate to your bonus regardless of your tax bracket. The marginal method adds your bonus to your regular income and calculates taxes on the combined amount. Most employers use the flat rate method because it's simpler, but it often results in over-withholding.

Yes, if your bonus was over-withheld using the flat supplemental rate method, you'll receive a refund when you file your annual tax return. The actual tax you owe on the bonus is calculated based on your total annual income and tax bracket, not the withholding rate.

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Common bonus amounts after taxes

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Bonus tax calculator by state

State income tax withholding changes what the same bonus leaves. Pick your state for figures priced to its rules: