Free calculator
California Paycheck Calculator
Estimate California take-home pay with federal tax, FICA, and California state tax in one free calculator.
This California page is built for users who need a state-aware net pay estimate without extra setup.
Last updated
2026-04-20
Primary market: United States
This page is designed to give a fast, readable estimate without replacing a payslip or payroll system.
Always confirm important figures with your employer, payroll provider, accountant, or tax authority.
Methodology
We use the US federal payroll model and then add a California resident tax layer for the selected filing status.
Recurring deductions are subtracted before the income-tax estimate is applied.
The output converts the annual estimate back into paycheck, monthly, and weekly views.
Assumptions
The United States calculator annualizes pay first, applies the relevant tax rules, and then converts the result back to the selected pay frequency.
Recurring deductions are estimated on a per-pay-period basis.
TakeHome Grid provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not replace a payslip or employer payroll system.
Federal brackets and standard deductions reflect IRS 2026 inflation adjustments announced on October 9, 2025 and the IRS federal rates page last reviewed on February 20, 2026.
FICA assumptions reflect the SSA 2026 employee rates: 6.2% Social Security up to the wage base and 1.45% Medicare on all wages, plus the additional 0.9% Medicare surtax above the single-filer threshold used in this MVP.
Worked example
California example
Gross pay: $3,200 biweekly
Filing status: Single
Region: California
California net pay is generally lower than no-income-tax states because the state tax layer is included.
Disclaimer
TakeHome Grid provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not provide tax, payroll, accounting, or legal advice.
Always verify withholding, deductions, and take-home pay with your employer, payroll software, accountant, or tax authority before making decisions.
Rules, credits, and thresholds can change, so important figures should always be checked against current employer or tax authority information.
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FAQ
Does this page include SDI?
No. This page focuses on federal tax, FICA, and a simplified California income tax estimate.
Can I compare California with another state?
Yes. Use the related links to jump between US state pages quickly.