California Paycheck Calculator

California withholds state income tax using the EDD's Method B exact calculation — progressive rates from 1.1% to 14.63% (the top withholding rate includes the 1% mental health services surcharge) — plus State Disability Insurance at 1.3% of all wages in 2026, with no cap. California also does not recognize the federal HSA deduction: HSA contributions are state-taxable and this calculator adds them back.

Pay type

Annual salary

Pay frequency

State

Federal filing status (W-4 Step 1)

Multiple jobs or spouse works (W-4 Step 2 checkbox)Check if you hold more than one job or file jointly and your spouse also works.

California DE 4 allowances

Worksheet A of Form DE 4. Most single filers claim 1.

W-4 Steps 3–4: dependents, other income, deductions

Dependents credit (Step 3, annual)

$2,000 per qualifying child under 17.

Other income (Step 4a, annual)

Deductions beyond standard (Step 4b, annual)

Extra withholding (Step 4c, per paycheck)

Benefits & deductions (per paycheck)

Traditional 401(k)

HSA contribution

Health FSA

Health insurance premiums

Post-tax deductions

Roth 401(k), garnishments, and other after-tax amounts.

Estimated take-home pay

$2,208per biweekly paycheck

$57,397 per year · 23.5% effective tax rate

Paycheck breakdown per pay period
Gross pay	$2,884.62
Federal income tax	−$295.00
Social Security	−$178.85
Medicare	−$41.83
California state income tax	−$123.86
CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)	−$37.50
Take-home pay	$2,207.58

California income tax withholding per EDD DE 44 Method B (exact calculation), annual tables. California taxes HSA contributions (no state deduction), so HSA amounts are added back to state taxable wages.

How California taxes your paycheck in 2026

State income tax (2026 withholding): 1.1% – 14.63%, progressive
SDI (2026): 1.3% of all wages — no cap since 2024
Standard deduction: $5,706 single / $11,412 married (2+ allowances)
HSA contributions: Taxable in California

2026 California withholding rate schedule (single, annual)

Rendered from the same data file the calculator computes with.

Taxable income	Rate
$0 – $11,079	1.1%
$11,079 – $26,264	2.2%
$26,264 – $41,452	4.4%
$41,452 – $57,542	6.6%
$57,542 – $72,724	8.8%
$72,724 – $371,479	10.23%
$371,479 – $445,771	11.33%
$445,771 – $742,953	12.43%
$742,953 – $1,000,000	13.53%
Over $1,000,000	14.63%

California paycheck FAQs

Why is California SDI taken on my entire salary?

SB 951 removed the SDI taxable wage ceiling starting 2024. In 2026 the rate is 1.3% on every dollar of wages — a $500,000 earner pays $6,500, where the pre-2024 rules would have capped contributions around $1,600.

Are HSA contributions tax-free in California?

Not for state tax. California never conformed to the federal HSA rules, so payroll HSA contributions are deducted federally but added back to California taxable wages — and HSA earnings are also state-taxable. 401(k), FSA, and Section 125 premiums remain excluded for California.

What is the DE 4 and do I need one?

The DE 4 is California's state withholding certificate. Without one, employers withhold using your federal W-4 filing status with zero allowances. Filing a DE 4 lets you claim California allowances ($168.30 annual credit each in 2026) and estimated-deduction allowances that better match your state liability.

Tax data verified 2026-07-19 against the official source. See our methodology.