California charges 1-13.3% state income tax. Use the bonus tax calculator pre-loaded with California rates.
Open Bonus Tax Calculator →When you receive a bonus in California, your employer typically withholds at the federal supplemental rate of 22%, plus California's supplemental rate (often the top marginal rate of 13.3%), and FICA at 7.65%. The combined withholding can make bonuses feel heavily taxed, though your actual liability may differ from withholding at year-end. This calculator shows both the withholding and the true tax on your bonus in California.
California uses a graduated income tax with brackets ranging from 1-13.3%. Lower income is taxed at lower rates, with the 13.3% top rate applying only to income in the highest bracket. This progressive structure means your effective state tax rate is always lower than the top marginal rate. California does not have local income taxes, so the state graduated rate is the total state-level income tax burden.
The table below shows what you actually keep at five salary levels in California, accounting for federal tax, FICA, and California's graduated (1-13.3%) state tax.
See how California compares to other West states. Each link takes you to the bonus tax calculator landing page for that state.
For a comprehensive breakdown of California’s tax structure, salary comparisons, cost-of-living analysis, and more, visit the full California take-home pay page.