StateBonus tax calculator
Estimate your take-home pay on a bonus after the 22% federal supplemental rate, FICA, and state tax.
| Bonus | $5,000 |
| Federal supplemental (22%) | −$1,100 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$310 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$73 |
| State tax (California) | −$300 |
| Take-home | $3,218 |
Withholding estimate, not your final tax. SS stops at the annual wage base; high earners over $1M use 37% federal. Reconciled on your return.
Common questions
How are bonuses taxed?
For federal withholding, most employers use the 22% flat supplemental rate on bonuses up to $1 million (37% above that). Bonuses are also subject to Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and state income tax. Your final tax is reconciled on your annual return — the 22% is withholding, not necessarily your true rate.
Why was my bonus taxed so high?
The flat 22% federal supplemental withholding can be higher than your normal paycheck rate, which makes a bonus feel heavily taxed. If your actual marginal rate is lower, you get the difference back at tax time.