California Paycheck Calculator
See take-home pay after federal and California withholding and FICA on the 2026 tax tables, and what the paycheck costs you in payroll taxes. Free, no sign-up.
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General information, not legal, tax or HR advice. See our Terms.
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A California paycheck, worked out
$60,000 a year, paid biweekly, single, no other W-4 entries.
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,307.69 |
| Federal income tax | −$193.08 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$143.08 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$33.46 |
| California income tax | −$75.84 |
| CA SDI (1.3%) | −$30.00 |
| Take-home pay | $1,832.23 |
| Employer taxes on top | $268.85 |
California Method B, 2026 (EDD DE 44).
Payroll taxes in California
| Tax | Who pays | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | Employee | From the W-4 and IRS Pub 15-T |
| Social Security | Both | 6.2% each, up to $184,500 of wages |
| Medicare | Both | 1.45% each; the employee pays 0.9% more over $200,000 |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA) | Employer | 0.6% of the first $7,000 |
| California unemployment | Employer | 3.40% for new employers, on the first $7,000.00 |
| California income tax | Employee | The state's 2026 withholding formula |
| CA SDI (1.3%) | Employee | Withheld each paycheck |
Sources: IRS Pub 15 and 15-T (2026), US DOL state unemployment provisions (January 2026), the state's withholding instructions.
California pay rules to know
| Rule | California |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $16.90/hour |
| How often to pay | Twice a month. On paydays designated in advance. |
| Final paycheck | Immediately if fired. Quit: within 72 hours, or the last day with 72 hours' notice. |
| New hire reporting | Within 20 days, to California Employment Development Department (EDD) |
From the state facts of our compliance guides.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. California Method B, 2026 (EDD DE 44). The calculator withholds it with the federal taxes.
Paid biweekly to a single filer with no other W-4 entries, a $2,307.69 check has $193.08 of federal income tax, $143.08 of Social Security, $33.46 of Medicare and $75.84 of California income tax, plus $30.00 of CA SDI (1.3%). Take-home pay is $1,832.23.
Yes. Next to the take-home pay it shows the employer's payroll taxes in California: the Social Security and Medicare match, federal unemployment, and California unemployment tax at the new employer rate or the rate the state gave you. Use it as the California payroll calculator for one check or the whole year.
3.40% on the first $7,000.00 of each employee's wages in 2026, until the state assigns your own rate.
A federal Form W-4 and the state form: Form DE 4 (Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate). Report the hire to the state within 20 days.
Related calculators
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