Free · no signup · updated for 2026
Bonus Tax Calculator
See exactly how much of your bonus you keep after federal withholding, Social Security, Medicare, and state tax — for your state and amount.
Your take-home bonus
$6,012.00
$3,988.00 withheld · 40% effective
- Federal income tax
- −$2,200.00
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$620.00
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$145.00
- State tax
- −$1,023.00
- Total withheld
- −$3,988.00
Why is my bonus taxed at 22%?
Your bonus isn't taxed at a higher rate than the rest of your income — it's withheld differently. The IRS classifies a bonus as a supplemental wage. The most common approach, the percentage method, withholds a flat 22% for federal income tax (and 37%on any amount above $1 million), on top of Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and any state tax.
That 22% is only a prepayment. When you file your return, the bonus is taxed at your real income-tax rate — and if too much was withheld, the difference comes back in your refund. The aggregate method instead lumps the bonus into a normal paycheck and withholds using your W-4, which can be higher or lower.
How each state withholds bonus tax (2026)
Nine states take no income tax. Some publish a flat supplemental rate for bonuses; the rest withhold using their regular payroll tables.
| State | Bonus withholding |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 5% |
| Alaska | No state income tax |
| Arizona | Regular payroll tables |
| Arkansas | 3.9% |
| California | 10.23% |
| Colorado | Regular payroll tables |
| Connecticut | Regular payroll tables |
| Delaware | Regular payroll tables |
| Florida | No state income tax |
| Georgia | Regular payroll tables |
| Hawaii | Regular payroll tables |
| Idaho | 5.3% |
| Illinois | Regular payroll tables |
| Indiana | Regular payroll tables |
| Iowa | 3.8% |
| Kansas | 5% |
| Kentucky | Regular payroll tables |
| Louisiana | Regular payroll tables |
| Maine | 5% |
| Maryland | Regular payroll tables |
| Massachusetts | Regular payroll tables |
| Michigan | Regular payroll tables |
| Minnesota | 6.25% |
| Mississippi | Regular payroll tables |
| Missouri | 4.7% |
| Montana | 5% |
| Nebraska | 3.5% |
| Nevada | No state income tax |
| New Hampshire | No state income tax |
| New Jersey | Regular payroll tables |
| New Mexico | 5.9% |
| New York | 11.7% |
| North Carolina | 4.09% |
| North Dakota | 1.5% |
| Ohio | 3.5% |
| Oklahoma | 4.5% |
| Oregon | 8% |
| Pennsylvania | Regular payroll tables |
| Rhode Island | 5.99% |
| South Carolina | Regular payroll tables |
| South Dakota | No state income tax |
| Tennessee | No state income tax |
| Texas | No state income tax |
| Utah | Regular payroll tables |
| Vermont | 6.6% |
| Virginia | 5.75% |
| Washington | No state income tax |
| West Virginia | Regular payroll tables |
| Wisconsin | 3.54–7.65% (by amount) |
| Wyoming | No state income tax |
| District of Columbia | Regular payroll tables |
Frequently asked questions
Why is my bonus taxed at 22%?+
It usually isn't taxed more than your regular pay — it's withheld differently. The IRS treats a bonus as a 'supplemental wage,' and the most common method withholds a flat 22% for federal income tax (plus Social Security, Medicare, and any state tax). That 22% is a withholding rate, not your final tax rate. When you file your return, your bonus is taxed at your actual income-tax rate, and any over-withholding comes back as part of your refund.
Is a bonus taxed higher than normal income?+
No. A bonus is ordinary income and is taxed at the same rates as the rest of your pay when you file. It only feels higher because the flat 22% federal withholding (37% on amounts over $1 million) is often more than what would come out of a normal paycheck for the same dollars. The difference is trued up on your tax return.
What's the difference between the percentage and aggregate methods?+
The percentage method withholds a flat 22% federal on the bonus, regardless of your paycheck — simple and predictable. The aggregate method lumps the bonus in with a regular paycheck and withholds as if that combined amount were your normal pay, using your W-4 — which can withhold more or less depending on your income. Employers choose the method; this calculator defaults to the percentage method and can estimate the aggregate result if you enter your regular pay.
Will I get some of the withheld bonus tax back?+
Often, yes. Withholding is just a prepayment. If the flat 22% (plus state and FICA) took out more than you actually owe based on your total annual income, the excess is refunded when you file. If it took out too little, you may owe a little. Either way, the calculator shows what's withheld now — not your final tax bill.
Does my state take extra tax out of my bonus?+
It depends on your state. Nine states have no income tax, so they take nothing. Some states publish a flat 'supplemental' rate for bonuses (California withholds 10.23%, New York 11.7%). Many others don't have a separate bonus rate and instead withhold using their regular payroll tables. Pick your state above to see how it's handled.
How much of a $10,000 bonus do I keep?+
Under the flat federal method, a $10,000 bonus has $2,200 withheld for federal income tax, $620 for Social Security, and $145 for Medicare — before any state tax. In a no-income-tax state that leaves about $7,035; in California (10.23% state) about $6,012. Use the calculator to get the exact number for your amount and state.
This tool estimates tax withholding, not your final tax bill. Withholding is a prepayment that's reconciled when you file your return. Figures are estimates for the 2026 tax year and may not reflect every deduction or the latest published rates — consult a tax professional for advice.