Source: https://pay44.app/california-paycheck-calculator/ Pay44 is a free paycheck calculator app for iOS and Android. Get the Pay44 app: [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/paycheck-calculator-us-pay44/id1484023807?pt=120576754&ct=pay44.md&mt=8) · [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.loopcupcakes.paycheck&referrer=utm_source%3Dpay44.md) # California Paycheck Calculator See how California's 1%–13.3% graduated tax affects your take-home pay. Graduated 1%–13.3% California has ten income tax brackets from 1% to 13.3%. The top rate applies to income over $1 million, and even middle-income earners face rates above most other states. 10 tax brackets: 1%–13.3% · Standard deduction $5,900, credit $158 (single) · Top rate applies above $1M · SDI payroll tax not included _Interactive tool: open [the web page](https://pay44.app/california-paycheck-calculator/) to use it. This Markdown copy has the text only._ Estimates only. Not tax or legal advice. Consult a tax professional for accuracy. ## California Paycheck FAQ Common questions about paychecks and taxes in California ### What is the California state income tax rate? Ten brackets, from 1% to 13.3%. The top rate of 13.3% kicks in above $1,000,000 of taxable income for single filers and includes the 1% Behavioral Health Services Tax (formerly the Mental Health Services Tax). The 2026 standard deduction is $5,900 for single filers and $11,800 for joint filers and heads of household, and a personal exemption credit of $158 ($316 joint) comes off the tax. ### Why is California's income tax so high? California's progressive system puts most of the burden on high earners — the 13.3% top rate only hits income over $1 million. Workers earning under $60,000 pay less than 3% of their wages in state income tax. The revenue funds the state's large education, healthcare, and infrastructure budgets. ### Does California have an SDI payroll tax? Yes, California has a State Disability Insurance (SDI) tax of 1.3% on all wages in 2026, with no wage cap. This calculator focuses on income tax and FICA but does not include SDI. Your actual take-home may be slightly lower. ### What is the Mental Health Services surcharge? California adds a 1% tax on taxable income exceeding $1 million, now called the Behavioral Health Services Tax (formerly the Mental Health Services Tax). The $1 million threshold is the same for every filing status. This brings the top marginal rate to 13.3% — the highest state income tax rate in the nation. ### Does the calculator include California's personal exemption credit? Yes. It takes the 2026 credit off the tax: $158 for single, married-filing-separately and head-of-household filers and $316 for joint filers and qualifying widow(er)s. California phases the credit out at high incomes (in 2025, above federal AGI of $252,203 single or $504,411 joint; the 2026 thresholds aren't published yet). The calculator doesn't, so above those incomes it understates California tax by up to the credit. Dependent credits and the renter's credit aren't included. ## Paycheck Calculators for Other States - [Alabama](https://pay44.app/alabama-paycheck-calculator/) - [Alaska](https://pay44.app/alaska-paycheck-calculator/) - [Arizona](https://pay44.app/arizona-paycheck-calculator/) - [Arkansas](https://pay44.app/arkansas-paycheck-calculator/) - [Colorado](https://pay44.app/colorado-paycheck-calculator/) - [Connecticut](https://pay44.app/connecticut-paycheck-calculator/) - [Delaware](https://pay44.app/delaware-paycheck-calculator/) - [District of Columbia](https://pay44.app/dc-paycheck-calculator/) - [Florida](https://pay44.app/florida-paycheck-calculator/) - [Georgia](https://pay44.app/georgia-paycheck-calculator/) - [Hawaii](https://pay44.app/hawaii-paycheck-calculator/) - [Idaho](https://pay44.app/idaho-paycheck-calculator/) - [Illinois](https://pay44.app/illinois-paycheck-calculator/) - [Indiana](https://pay44.app/indiana-paycheck-calculator/) - [Iowa](https://pay44.app/iowa-paycheck-calculator/) - [Kansas](https://pay44.app/kansas-paycheck-calculator/) - [Kentucky](https://pay44.app/kentucky-paycheck-calculator/) - [Louisiana](https://pay44.app/louisiana-paycheck-calculator/) - [Maine](https://pay44.app/maine-paycheck-calculator/) - [Maryland](https://pay44.app/maryland-paycheck-calculator/) - [Massachusetts](https://pay44.app/massachusetts-paycheck-calculator/) - [Michigan](https://pay44.app/michigan-paycheck-calculator/) - [Minnesota](https://pay44.app/minnesota-paycheck-calculator/) - [Mississippi](https://pay44.app/mississippi-paycheck-calculator/) - [Missouri](https://pay44.app/missouri-paycheck-calculator/) - [Montana](https://pay44.app/montana-paycheck-calculator/) - [Nebraska](https://pay44.app/nebraska-paycheck-calculator/) - [Nevada](https://pay44.app/nevada-paycheck-calculator/) - [New Hampshire](https://pay44.app/new-hampshire-paycheck-calculator/) - [New Jersey](https://pay44.app/new-jersey-paycheck-calculator/) - [New Mexico](https://pay44.app/new-mexico-paycheck-calculator/) - [New York](https://pay44.app/new-york-paycheck-calculator/) - [North Carolina](https://pay44.app/north-carolina-paycheck-calculator/) - [North Dakota](https://pay44.app/north-dakota-paycheck-calculator/) - [Ohio](https://pay44.app/ohio-paycheck-calculator/) - [Oklahoma](https://pay44.app/oklahoma-paycheck-calculator/) - [Oregon](https://pay44.app/oregon-paycheck-calculator/) - [Pennsylvania](https://pay44.app/pennsylvania-paycheck-calculator/) - [Rhode Island](https://pay44.app/rhode-island-paycheck-calculator/) - [South Carolina](https://pay44.app/south-carolina-paycheck-calculator/) - [South Dakota](https://pay44.app/south-dakota-paycheck-calculator/) - [Tennessee](https://pay44.app/tennessee-paycheck-calculator/) - [Texas](https://pay44.app/texas-paycheck-calculator/) - [Utah](https://pay44.app/utah-paycheck-calculator/) - [Vermont](https://pay44.app/vermont-paycheck-calculator/) - [Virginia](https://pay44.app/virginia-paycheck-calculator/) - [Washington](https://pay44.app/washington-paycheck-calculator/) - [West Virginia](https://pay44.app/west-virginia-paycheck-calculator/) - [Wisconsin](https://pay44.app/wisconsin-paycheck-calculator/) - [Wyoming](https://pay44.app/wyoming-paycheck-calculator/)