California Tax Calculator — How It Works
Our California Tax Calculator (also usable as a California paycheck calculator or California payroll calculator) takes the hassle out of figuring out how much of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) you will pay in taxes. Enter your income and filing status to instantly estimate your FICA taxes, federal income tax, California state income tax, and California SDI — all in one place.
Which Taxes Does a Californian Pay?
A California resident typically pays four types of taxes on earned income:
- FICA Tax (7.65%) — Social Security (6.2%) + Medicare (1.45%)
- Federal Income Tax — Progressive brackets from 10% to 37%
- California State Income Tax — Progressive brackets from 1% to 13.3%
- California SDI (0.9%) — State Disability Insurance on wages up to $145,600
| Tax Type / Filing Status | Single | Married & Jointly | Married & Separately | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FICA | 7.65%: Social Security (6.2%) + Medicare (1.45%) | |||
| Federal Income Tax | Progressive brackets 10%–37% | |||
| Federal Deductions (USD) | $12,950 | $25,900 | $12,950 | $19,400 |
| CA State Income Tax | Progressive brackets 1%–13.3% | |||
| CA Standard Deduction | $4,803 | $9,606 | $4,803 | $9,606 |
| CA Personal Exemption Credit | $129 | $258 | $129 | $258 |
| CA SDI | 0.9% on wages up to $145,600 | |||
| Local Tax | Only San Francisco has a local payroll tax (0.38%) — paid by the employer | |||
California State Income Tax Brackets 2022 — Single Filers
Also applies to married/registered domestic partners filing separately.
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income Bracket |
|---|---|
| 1% | $0 – $9,325 |
| 2% | $9,326 – $22,107 |
| 4% | $22,108 – $34,892 |
| 6% | $34,893 – $48,435 |
| 8% | $48,436 – $61,214 |
| 9.3% | $61,215 – $312,686 |
| 10.3% | $312,687 – $375,221 |
| 11.3% | $375,222 – $625,369 |
| 12.3% | $625,370 – $1,000,000 |
| 13.3% | Over $1,000,000 |
California State Income Tax Brackets 2022 — Married Filing Jointly
Also applies to registered domestic partners filing jointly and qualified widow(er).
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income Bracket |
|---|---|
| 1% | $0 – $18,650 |
| 2% | $18,651 – $44,214 |
| 4% | $44,215 – $69,784 |
| 6% | $69,785 – $96,870 |
| 8% | $96,871 – $122,428 |
| 9.3% | $122,429 – $625,372 |
| 10.3% | $625,373 – $750,442 |
| 11.3% | $750,443 – $1,000,000 |
| 12.3% | $1,000,001 – $1,250,738 |
| 13.3% | Over $1,250,738 |
How to Calculate California Income Tax — Example
Let's walk through the calculation for a single filer with an AGI of $80,000:
-
FICA: $80,000 × 7.65% = $6,120
- Social Security: $80,000 × 6.2% = $4,960
- Medicare: $80,000 × 1.45% = $1,160
-
Federal Taxable Income: $80,000 − $12,950 (standard deduction) = $67,050
Federal Tax: ≈ $10,368 (progressive brackets up to 22%) -
CA Taxable Income: $80,000 − $4,803 (CA standard deduction) = $75,197
CA State Tax (before credit): $2,695 + ($75,197 − $61,214) × 9.3% ≈ $3,996
Less personal exemption credit: − $129 = $3,867 - CA SDI: $80,000 × 0.9% = $720
- Total Tax: $6,120 + $10,368 + $3,867 + $720 = $21,075
- Take-Home Pay: $80,000 − $21,075 = $58,925
California Personal Exemption Credit Phase-Out
For single taxpayers, the $129 personal exemption credit is reduced by $6 for each $2,500 (or fraction thereof) of federal AGI above $212,288. The credit cannot be reduced below zero. For married filing jointly, the threshold is $424,576 and the credit is $258.
Disclaimer
This California tax calculator is intended for informational purposes only. Tax laws change regularly, and individual circumstances vary. The calculator uses 2022 tax year brackets and standard deductions. For advice on your specific tax situation, please consult a qualified tax professional or the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) at ftb.ca.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Does California have a flat income tax rate?
- No. California uses a progressive income tax system with rates from 1% to 13.3% — the highest top marginal rate of any US state.
- What is the California SDI tax?
- The State Disability Insurance (SDI) tax is an employee-paid payroll tax of 0.9% on wages up to $145,600 (2022 wage base). It funds short-term disability and paid family leave benefits.
- Is there a local income tax in California?
- Most California cities do not impose a local income tax. The one exception is San Francisco, which levies a 0.38% payroll tax — but it is paid by the employer, not the employee.
- What is California's standard deduction?
- For 2022, the California standard deduction is $4,803 for single filers (and married filing separately) and $9,606 for married filing jointly and head of household. Note that California's standard deduction is much lower than the federal standard deduction.
- How does California tax income for married couples?
- Married couples filing jointly in California use broader tax brackets and a higher standard deduction ($9,606). The top 13.3% rate applies to income over $1,250,738 for joint filers, versus $1,000,000 for single filers.
- Can I use this calculator in currencies other than USD?
- Yes. You can select any of 20 world currencies. The calculator applies the same California tax rates to the amount you enter — useful when comparing your take-home pay in your home currency context. All tax rates remain the same regardless of currency selection.