California Income Tax Calculator (2026)
California taxes wage income in 10 brackets that rise to 13.3% at the top, after a standard deduction of $5,540 for single filers, on top of federal income tax and FICA.
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At a glance
Everything below is for tax year 2026 and a single filer unless stated otherwise. Rates, brackets and deductions come from the Tax Foundation tables in force on January 1, 2026; federal amounts come from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32.
| Rule | California, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Graduated brackets |
| Top rate | 13.3% |
| Standard deduction, single | $5,540 |
| Standard deduction, married | $11,080 |
| Per dependent | None |
| Brackets (single) | 10 |
| Taxable income starts from | California's own calculation |
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Paycheck examples
Four salaries, all computed by this site's own engine: single filer, paid every two weeks, no 401(k) deferral, no health premiums and no local tax. “Take-home” is what lands in the account each payday after every withholding below.
| Salary | Federal | State | FICA | Take-home / paycheck | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $1,202 | $3,825 | $1,582.79 | 17.7% |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $2,941 | $5,738 | $2,255.83 | 21.8% |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $5,223 | $7,650 | $2,844.48 | 26.0% |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $9,873 | $11,475 | $3,996.83 | 30.7% |
Brackets and deductions
California applies these rates to state-taxable income for single filers. Married couples filing jointly use the same rates against the joint thresholds in the source tables. The California standard deduction of $5,540 (single) or $11,080 (married) comes off first.
| Rate | From | To |
|---|---|---|
| 1% | $0 | $11,079 |
| 2% | $11,079 | $26,264 |
| 4% | $26,264 | $41,452 |
| 6% | $41,452 | $57,542 |
| 8% | $57,542 | $72,724 |
| 9.3% | $72,724 | $371,479 |
| 10.3% | $371,479 | $445,771 |
| 11.3% | $445,771 | $742,953 |
| 12.3% | $742,953 | $1,000,000 |
| 13.3% | $1,000,000 | and above |
What we do not model
For California: An additional 1% tax applies to taxable income above $1,000,000 (not modelled). The figures above exclude local and municipal income taxes, tax credits, itemized deductions, phase-outs, alternative minimum tax, state disability insurance, and the Form W-4 details that change real withholding. They are an estimate, not tax advice — see the full disclaimer for what the model does and does not cover.
Common questions
- What are California income tax brackets for 2026?
- California has 10 brackets for single filers, starting at 1% and reaching 13.3% at the top. The full table is listed above, with the standard deduction subtracted before those rates apply.
- What is the top California income tax rate?
- The top California rate is 13.3%, and it only applies to income above the highest bracket threshold shown above — not to your whole salary. The rate on your first dollars is 1%.
- What is the California standard deduction for 2026?
- $5,540 for single filers and $11,080 for married couples filing jointly; there is no separate dependent exemption. Taxable income is what remains after that deduction, and it is what the brackets are applied to.
- What is the take-home pay on $100,000 in California?
- For a single filer paid biweekly with no 401(k) deferral and no health premiums, a $100,000 salary in California leaves $2,844.48 per paycheck — $73,956.58 a year, an effective rate of 26.0% after $13,170 of federal income tax, $5,223 of California tax and $7,650 of FICA.
- Do remote workers pay California income tax?
- A California resident is generally taxed by California on wages earned anywhere, including wages for a remote job whose employer sits in another state. Days worked physically outside California can matter in some cases, and a non-resident working in California is generally taxed on income earned here. Nothing here is tax advice — the details depend on your situation.
- Does California have local income taxes?
- An additional 1% tax applies to taxable income above $1,000,000 (not modelled). This calculator does not model that layer — treat the number above as state plus federal only.
Want to see California next to somewhere else? Compare two states side by side, or go back to income tax in all 50 states.