California Tax Calculators
California taxes income on its own brackets, adds a separate SDI payroll deduction, and does not follow every federal rule, so a federal estimate rarely tells the whole story. These calculators work out the California side: what comes out of a paycheck, what you owe at filing time, which credits you can claim and how investment, retirement and windfall income are taxed.
All 14 Tax tools
Employees checking take-home pay, freelancers paying estimated tax, retirees and anyone deciding whether a California credit applies. Every tool shows how its result was worked out and links to the official source.
Tax guides
All guides →CalEITC Explained: Who Qualifies and How Much
The income limits, the maximum credit by number of children, and how the Young Child and Foster Youth credits stack on top.
California Car Sales Tax Explained
Tax on the full price at the rate where you register the car, no trade-in credit, and the gift, family and out-of-state rules.
California HSA Tax Rules: Why the State Taxes Your HSA
California doesn't recognize HSAs. Contributions and earnings are taxed by the state; withdrawals are not. What to add back.
California Sales Tax on Services
Most services aren't taxed. Where the line falls for repairs, fabrication, photography, shipping, software, warranties and restaurant service charges.
California Self-Employment Tax Guide
There's no separate state self-employment tax, but California income tax, no QBI deduction and a front-loaded estimate schedule change the math.
California Tax Deadlines Calendar
Income tax, estimated payments, LLC and corporation returns, payroll reports and property tax due dates, in date order.
California Use Tax Explained: Online and Out-of-State Buys
No California sales tax charged? You owe use tax at your local rate. Credits for other states' tax and how to report it.
California vs. Federal Tax: Key Differences
Social Security, unemployment, capital gains, HSAs, the SALT cap, mortgage interest and the new federal tips and overtime deductions.
California Young Child Tax Credit (YCTC): Who Gets It
A refundable state credit for families with a young child, even with no earnings. Who qualifies, how the phaseout works and how to claim it.
Cost of Living: California vs. Texas
California prices run about 14% above Texas, driven by housing. How income tax, sales tax and property tax change the picture.
Does California Have an Estate or Inheritance Tax?
No estate, inheritance or gift tax since 2005. The federal estate tax, inherited retirement accounts and the Prop 19 property tax catch.
Does California Tax Lottery Winnings? What's Taxed
California Lottery prizes, including Powerball and Mega Millions, are state-tax-free. Casino, racing and other states' wins are not.
California Capital Gains Tax Explained
Why California taxes gains as ordinary income, the tax on gains of different sizes, the home sale exclusion and where the state departs from federal rules.
Is Social Security Taxed in California?
No, but pensions and IRA withdrawals are. What retirees owe, senior credits, military retirement pay and a worked example.
Moving Out of California: What Happens to Your Taxes
How residency is decided, how the part-year return taxes you, and what California keeps taxing after you leave.
California Estimated Tax Due Dates and the 30/40/0/30 Rule
The four due dates with weekend and holiday shifts, why September is zero, the safe harbor rules, penalties, and the federal schedule side by side.
How Bonuses Are Taxed in California
Why bonuses are withheld at flat state and federal rates, how Social Security, Medicare and SDI apply, a worked example, and how extra withholding comes back.
California Renter's Credit Explained: Who Qualifies
Who qualifies for the nonrefundable renter's credit, the income limits by filing status, the part-year proration chart, and why it can't create a refund.
California Income Tax Rates and Brackets
Nine brackets from 1% to 12.3%, plus 1% over $1 million. The full tables, marginal vs. effective rates, and what California taxes differently.
California State Tax Withholding Explained (DE 4 and Your W-2)
Why California has its own withholding form, how allowances work, the 10.23% bonus rate, and how to avoid owing in April.
How to Calculate Sales Tax in California (Rates by City)
A 7.25% statewide base plus local district taxes. The formula, real city rates, what is exempt, and when you owe use tax instead.
Local figures
Some of these rules change at the city or county line. These pages show the local figure next to the statewide one.