California Paycheck / Take-Home Pay Calculator
See the two California deductions on your paycheck: state income tax and the 1.3% SDI contribution, which has no wage cap.
California takes two deductions from a paycheck: state income tax (marginal brackets from 1% to 13.3%) and the SDI payroll deduction (a flat 1.3% of all wages, with no cap). This tool calculates those two. Add federal income tax and FICA separately to get your full take-home pay.
Enter your gross annual income and filing status to see your state tax, SDI deduction, and estimated take-home pay.
CA Paycheck Calculator
Estimated Take-Home Pay (State-Only)
CA State Income Tax
SDI Deduction
How this is calculated
State income tax is computed the same way as our full bracket calculator: gross income minus the standard deduction ($5,706 single / $11,412 married filing jointly) run through the marginal bracket table, plus the extra 1% Mental Health Services Tax on any taxable income over $1,000,000.
The SDI deduction is simpler. It is a flat 1.3% of your entire gross income, with no wage cap since 2024. It has no brackets, so every dollar of wages is charged the same rate.
The take-home pay shown here is gross income minus state income tax minus SDI. It does not subtract federal income tax or FICA (Social Security and Medicare), because this tool covers California deductions only. California has no city or county personal income tax, so these two lines are everything the state takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What gets deducted from a California paycheck?
Federal income tax and FICA (Social Security/Medicare), plus California state income tax and the SDI (State Disability Insurance) payroll deduction, currently 1.3% of all wages with no annual cap. This calculator focuses on the California-specific deductions.
Is there a wage cap on the SDI deduction?
No. Since January 1, 2024, all wages are subject to the SDI deduction with no maximum. Higher earners pay 1.3% on every dollar. Before 2024 the deduction stopped at a wage cap.
Does California have local city income taxes?
No. No California city or county has its own personal income tax, so your paycheck deductions are state and federal only. A few cities charge payroll taxes to businesses, but those don't come out of employee paychecks.
Why is my take-home pay lower than gross minus just income tax?
SDI is a payroll deduction separate from income tax. It is a flat percentage of gross wages and doesn't use the tax brackets, so you pay it in addition to state income tax.
Does this calculator include federal taxes?
No. This tool covers only the California deductions (state income tax and SDI). Add your federal income tax and FICA withholding separately for full take-home pay.
This tool provides an educational estimate only and is not tax advice. It excludes federal tax, FICA, pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance) and local factors. Consult a CPA or your payroll provider for your exact net pay.