How Much Tax Do I Pay in California?

In California, your total tax burden typically ranges from 15% to over 40% of your gross income, depending on your earnings. This includes Federal Income Tax, California State Income Tax, and FICA (Social Security & Medicare).

The Three Main Taxes

When you look at your paycheck in California, you'll see three primary deductions:

1. Federal Income Tax

This is paid to the IRS. Rates range from 10% to 37% as your income increases. Most middle-income earners in California fall into the 22% or 24% federal brackets.

2. California State Income Tax

California has a progressive tax system with rates from 1% to 13.3%. It is one of the highest in the nation.

3. FICA (Payroll Taxes)

This covers Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). These are flat rates applied to your gross pay (Social Security stops after $176,100 in 2025).

Estimate Your Take-Home Pay

Net Pay (Annually)$78,736
Federal Tax-$13,614.00
State Tax-$0.00
Social Security-$6,200.00
Medicare-$1,450.00
Monthly Take-Home$6,561
Bi-Weekly Paycheck$3,028

Common Questions

Is California tax based on gross or net income?

Both Federal and State taxes are calculated based on your Gross Income (before deductions). However, your taxable income may be reduced by standard or itemized deductions.

What is the SDI tax on my paycheck?

SDI stands for State Disability Insurance. It is a mandatory deduction for most California employees (around 1.1%) that provides short-term benefits for non-work-related disabilities.