California Income Tax Calculator 2026–2027
Know exactly what you'll take home for W-2, freelancer, or 1099 income. Free, instant, no signup required.
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Data sourced from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32, CA FTB 2026 Tax Rate Schedules, and SSA 2026 Contribution Base.
Your Information
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▸Want to see 2026 tax brackets? Show key numbers
- ✓ CA top income tax rate: 13.3% (income over $1M)
- ✓ CA standard deduction: $5,706 (single), $11,412 (married)
- ✓ CA SDI: 1.3% on all wages, no cap (EDD-confirmed 2026)
- ✓ SS wage base: $184,500 (up from $176,100 in 2025)
- ✓ Federal std deduction: $16,100 (single), $32,200 (MFJ)
- ✓ CA taxes capital gains as ordinary income (no preferential rate)
Bonuses and vested RSUs are taxed at the supplemental withholding rate, a flat 22% federal + 10.23% CA, separate from your regular paycheck. Enter amounts to see your net payout.
Estimated Withholding
Federal (22%)
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CA (10.23%)
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FICA (SS + Med)
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You Receive
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⚠️ Supplemental withholding ≠ your final tax rate. Year-end tax may differ based on total annual income.
⚠️ California has no preferential capital gains rate. All gains are taxed as ordinary income at your CA marginal rate, even long-term gains.
Federal rates: 0% · 15% · 20% depending on total income
Taxed at your ordinary income marginal rate
Estimated Capital Gains Tax
NIIT applies when modified AGI exceeds $200k (single) / $250k (MFJ). This is an estimate, consult a tax advisor for stock option / RSU planning.
Enter your income above to see your full California tax breakdown.
Biweekly Take-Home Pay
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per paycheck (÷ 26 paychecks/year)
Estimate uses official 2026 IRS & CA FTB tax tables, see sources below
Reviewed by Robert C. Johnson, CPA · Last reviewed: Jan 2026
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Auto-imports your W-2 and handles CA SDI, RSU, and self-employment.
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Where your income goes
Full Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
Marginal Rate
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Effective Rate
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Est. Federal Tax
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Self-Employment Tax
California State Tax
Marginal Rate
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Effective Rate
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Est. CA Tax
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Payroll Taxes
Summary
Ways to Lower Your 2026 Tax Bill
What If You Saved More in Your 401(k)?
Drag the slider to see how a larger 401(k) contribution changes your tax bill and take-home pay, instantly.
Federal Saved
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CA Saved
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Total Saved
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Owe more than expected?
High-income California residents can reduce their tax bill through tax-loss harvesting, Roth conversions, and charitable strategies. A fee-only fiduciary advisor can build a plan.
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↓ Scroll to see full tax breakdown, state comparison, and year-over-year analysis
Year-over-Year Changes
How OBBBA Changed Your Taxes vs 2025
Key law changes from 2025 → 2026 that affect your specific situation:
Comparison uses IRS Rev. Proc. 2024-40 (2025) vs Rev. Proc. 2025-32 (2026). Same income and filing assumed.
Relocation Comparison
What If You Moved to a No-Tax State?
California's top income tax rate is 13.3%, one of the highest in the US. Here's how much you'd keep annually if you relocated:
State income tax only, does not factor in property tax differences, cost of living, or federal taxes. TX/NV/WA/FL have zero state income tax.
Withholding Optimizer
W-4 Withholding Optimizer
Based on your estimated federal tax, here's what to enter on your W-4 to avoid owing a bill or over-refunding at filing:
Enter taxes already withheld in "Estimate Refund or Amount Owed" above for a precise refund vs. owed calculation. This is an estimate, your actual tax may vary.
Embed this Calculator
Free to embed on any website. Includes a link back to californiaincometaxcalculator.com.
What Your Results Mean
Your take-home pay is what remains after three deductions: federal income tax, California state tax, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare).
Your biweekly pay is not exactly 2× your weekly, since pay frequency affects withholding calculations.
How California Income Tax Works
- Progressive brackets (1% → 13.3%)
California taxes each income band at a different rate. Only income above $677,275 hits 13.3%.
- Standard deduction reduces taxable income
California's 2026 standard deduction is $5,540 (single) / $11,080 (married). Federal is $15,000 / $30,000.
- SDI and FICA calculated separately
California SDI (1.3%) and federal FICA (7.65%) are flat rates on gross income, not reduced by deductions.
Lower Your Tax Bill
Pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce both your federal and California taxable income. A $500/month contribution saves the average California earner approximately $1,800/year in taxes.
Use the 401(k) What-If tool above to see your personalized savings.
Try the 401k Calculator ↑Advertiser Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure →
Ready to File? Best Tax Software for 2026
You've seen your tax estimate. Now file accurately with software that handles California's unique rules.
This free California income tax calculator shows your exact take-home pay after California state income tax, federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and California SDI (State Disability Insurance). Enter your gross salary or hourly wage, pick your filing status, and see your net pay broken down annually, monthly, or per paycheck, in seconds.
Unlike most California paycheck calculators, this tool accounts for the 2026-specific rules that affect your actual tax liability: the updated SDI rate of 1.3%, the raised SALT cap ($40,400 under OBBBA), California's non-conformity with federal HSA deductions, and CA-specific credits (CalEITC, YCTC, AB 130 Renter's Credit) that lower-income filers often miss.
About This Calculator
This calculator estimates your 2026 California and federal income taxes based on the inputs you provide. It covers the four major California-specific calculations that most online tools miss:
- CA SDI at 1.3% (2026 EDD rate, most calculators still show 1.1% from 2024)
- CalEITC, YCTC, and Renter's Credit (AB 130), California-specific refundable credits for lower-income filers
- OBBBA changes, SALT cap raised to $40,400, DCFSA limit raised to $7,500, QBI deduction made permanent
- CA vs. federal conformity differences, HSA deductions, QBI §199A, and IRA phase-outs all work differently in California
Who it's for: W-2 employees, freelancers and 1099 contractors, people with both W-2 and self-employment income in the same year, and new California residents trying to estimate their first full year of state tax liability.
What it does not calculate: Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), the CA corporate/LLC franchise tax (this is a personal income tax tool only), and tax on RSU vesting or stock compensation unless you enter it explicitly in the Advanced section.
California catches a lot of people off guard compared to other states. SDI is 1.3% of every dollar of wages with no wage cap, unlike Social Security. California does not conform to the federal QBI (§199A) deduction, so self-employed filers often owe more state tax than their federal numbers would suggest. And California does not allow an HSA deduction, so pre-tax HSA contributions still count as CA taxable income even though they reduce your federal AGI.
Use the Simple / Detailed toggle above your results to switch between a quick take-home number and the full line-by-line breakdown of federal, state, and payroll tax.
How accurate is this calculator? The federal and California state income tax calculations are based on the 2026 tax brackets published by the IRS and California Franchise Tax Board (CA FTB). Payroll tax withholding (Social Security, Medicare, SDI) uses the 2026 rates from the SSA and CA EDD. For most W-2 employees, results will match your actual tax refund or tax liability within 1–3%. Differences arise from non-standard withholding elections on your W-4 or CA DE 4 form, and from items not entered such as investment income, rental income, or stock compensation (RSUs, NSOs, ISOs).
Updated September 2026 for the 2026 tax year. Data is sourced from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 and CA FTB 2026 Tax Rate Schedules (see citation above), and CA EDD 2026 withholding tables.
Assumptions
- Income is earned entirely in California (part-year residents should prorate)
- W-2 wage income only, unless Self-Employment Income is entered separately
- The filer is not subject to the CA Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT, rare below $500k)
- Capital gains are taxed as ordinary income in California (California does not offer preferential LTCG rates)
- Standard deduction is applied unless itemized is selected and exceeds it
- Social Security income: uses IRS Provisional Income test (0% / 50% / 85% taxable thresholds)
- IRA deductions assume the phase-out ranges based on workplace plan coverage as entered
- No local income taxes apply (San Francisco's gross receipts tax applies to businesses, not individual employees)
How to Calculate Your California Take-Home Pay
California income tax is calculated in layers: federal income tax, California state income tax, Social Security tax (6.2% on wages up to $184,500), Medicare tax (1.45%, plus 0.9% additional Medicare on earnings over $200,000 single / $250,000 joint), and California SDI. Here is the exact order the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) and IRS use:
- Start with gross income. This is your annual salary or total wages before any deductions: what your employer reports on your W-2 or what you invoice as a 1099 contractor.
- Subtract pre-tax deductions. 401(k) contributions, traditional IRA deductions, and HSA contributions (federal only, since California does not recognize HSA deductions) reduce your federal adjusted gross income (AGI). For self-employed filers, the self-employment tax deduction (half of SE tax) also reduces AGI.
- Apply the standard deduction. For 2026: the federal standard deduction is $16,100 (single) or $32,200 (married filing jointly). California's standard deduction is much smaller, $5,706 (single) or $11,412 (MFJ), meaning more of your income is subject to California state income tax than federal tax.
- Apply the progressive tax brackets. Both the IRS and California tax only the income within each bracket at that bracket's rate. Your marginal tax rate (the rate on your last dollar earned) is always higher than your effective tax rate (the average rate across all your income).
- Add California SDI and payroll taxes. California SDI (1.3% in 2026, no wage cap) is withheld on every dollar of wages. Social Security and Medicare (FICA) are withheld by your employer at the federal level. Freelancers and 1099 contractors pay self-employment tax (15.3%) instead of the employee 7.65% share.
- Your net pay = gross income minus all of the above. The calculator above performs all these steps instantly. Switch between Simple (take-home only) and Detailed (full line-by-line breakdown) to see exactly how your California tax liability is computed.
For 1099 and freelancers: Enter your net self-employment income in the SE income field. Quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS (Form 1040-ES) and CA FTB (Form 540-ES) are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15. Divide your annual tax liability from this calculator by 4 to estimate each quarterly payment.
2026 California Income Tax Brackets
California uses a progressive tax system, only the income within each bracket is taxed at that rate. Source: CA FTB 2026 Tax Rate Schedules.
| Rate | Single / MFS | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1% | $0 – $11,079 | $0 – $22,158 | $0 – $17,876 |
| 2% | $11,079 – $26,264 | $22,158 – $52,528 | $17,876 – $42,107 |
| 4% | $26,264 – $41,452 | $52,528 – $82,904 | $42,107 – $66,772 |
| 6% | $41,452 – $57,542 | $82,904 – $115,084 | $66,772 – $92,210 |
| 8% | $57,542 – $72,724 | $115,084 – $145,448 | $92,210 – $116,258 |
| 9.3% | $72,724 – $371,479 | $145,448 – $742,958 | $116,258 – $625,369 |
| 10.3% | $371,479 – $445,771 | $742,958 – $891,542 | $625,369 – $750,442 |
| 11.3% | $445,771 – $742,953 | $891,542 – $1,485,906 | $750,442 – $1,250,738 |
| 12.3% | $742,953 – $1,000,000 | $1,485,906 – $2,000,000 | $1,250,738 – $1,500,000 |
| 13.3% | Over $1,000,000 | Over $2,000,000 | Over $1,500,000 |
Note: The 13.3% rate includes the 1% Behavioral Health Services Tax (BHST, formerly Mental Health Services Tax) on income over $1,000,000. The BHST threshold is not doubled for married filing jointly, it remains $1,000,000 regardless of filing status.
California Income Tax vs. Other States
California has the highest marginal state income tax rate in the United States at 13.3% (12.3% base + 1% BHST on income over $1 million). Most California residents pay an effective state income tax rate between 4% and 9.5%, depending on income, filing status, and deductions. Here is how California compares to the states where people ask us most often about relocation:
| State | State Income Tax |
|---|---|
| California | 1% – 13.3% |
| Texas | None (0%) |
| Florida | None (0%) |
| Nevada | None (0%) |
| Washington | None (0%) |
| Oregon | 4.75% – 9.9% |
| New York | 4% – 10.9% |
| Arizona | 2.5% flat |
| Colorado | 4.4% flat |
Moving to or from California mid-year? You will file as a part-year resident with the CA FTB and pay California state income tax only on income earned while you were a California resident. Enter only your California-period income in the calculator above for a part-year estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California income tax rate for 2026?
How is California income tax calculated on a paycheck?
What is California SDI and do I have to pay it?
Does California tax capital gains differently than regular income?
Does California have a standard deduction?
How much take-home pay do I lose moving from Texas to California?
California Sales Tax Rates by County (2026)
California's base sales tax is 7.25%. Most counties and cities add a local rate on top, bringing the maximum combined rate to 10.25%. The rates below reflect the maximum combined rate in each county as of 2026. Source: CA Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA).
| County | Max Combined Rate |
|---|---|
| Alameda County | 10.250% |
| Alpine County | 7.250% |
| Amador County | 7.750% |
| Butte County | 8.250% |
| Calaveras County | 8.250% |
| Colusa County | 7.750% |
| Contra Costa County | 8.750% |
| Del Norte County | 8.250% |
| El Dorado County | 7.250% |
| Fresno County | 7.975% |
| Glenn County | 7.250% |
| Humboldt County | 8.750% |
| Imperial County | 7.750% |
| Inyo County | 7.750% |
| Kern County | 8.250% |
| Kings County | 7.250% |
| Lake County | 7.250% |
| San Benito County | 8.250% |
| San Bernardino County | 7.750% |
| San Diego County | 7.750% |
| San Francisco County | 8.625% |
| San Joaquin County | 7.750% |
| San Luis Obispo County | 7.250% |
| San Mateo County | 9.375% |
| Santa Barbara County | 7.750% |
| Santa Clara County | 9.125% |
| Santa Cruz County | 9.500% |
| Shasta County | 7.250% |
| Ventura County | 7.250% |
| Yuba County | 8.250% |
Most groceries, prescription medicine, and utilities are exempt from California sales tax. Local district taxes may vary by city within a county.
About This Calculator
Tax data reviewed and verified by Robert C. Johnson, CPA, California-licensed tax specialist.
I built this calculator after noticing that most popular California tax tools were showing the wrong SDI rate (1.1% instead of 1.3%), ignoring the OBBBA's new SALT cap ($40,400, not $10,000), and completely missing California-specific credits like CalEITC, YCTC, and the 2026 Renter's Credit (AB 130).
Every number here is cross-referenced against primary sources: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32, the CA FTB 2026 Tax Rate Schedules, and the EDD 2026 withholding tables. The 401(k) limits come from IRS IR-2024-285.
All calculations run entirely in your browser, no data is sent to any server.