Bonus Tax Calculator
See exactly how much of your bonus you keep after federal, state, and FICA taxes. Choose the method your employer uses — or compare both.
and click Calculate
Which Method Will My Employer Use?
Your employer decides based on how the bonus is paid. Separate check = flat 22%. Same check as regular wages = aggregate method. You don't control which method is used — but you can estimate both below.
The 22% Flat Rate — Is It Always Higher?
Not necessarily. The 22% flat rate is higher than the effective federal rate for most people earning under ~$85,000 as a single filer. For those in the 24% or higher bracket, the flat 22% is actually lower than their marginal rate — meaning they may owe additional tax when they file. The 22% is withholding, not your final tax liability.
California Bonus Withholding (Special Case)
California uses a supplemental wage rate of 6.6% (for 2026) on bonuses paid separately, rather than the graduated income tax. California also levies SDI (State Disability Insurance) at 1.1% on top of this — not included here since it varies. Use the California flat rate option above for a close estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Calculators
What This Bonus Tax Calculator Does
This calculator estimates the federal and state tax withheld from your bonus payment and shows your net bonus take-home. Bonuses are taxed differently from regular wages in terms of withholding — but the same total annual income determines your actual tax liability at year-end. This calculator helps you understand the difference between withholding on your bonus and your actual bonus tax.
Bonus Withholding Methods
Percentage Method (Flat Rate)
The IRS allows employers to withhold at a flat 22% federal rate on supplemental wages (bonuses, commissions, overtime) up to $1 million. Above $1 million in supplemental wages, the rate is 37%. This flat-rate method is simpler for payroll processing and is the most common approach for standard year-end bonuses.
Aggregate Method
Some employers add the bonus to your most recent paycheck total and withhold based on the combined amount as if that were your regular pay rate. This often results in higher withholding than the flat method if the combined amount pushes you into a higher bracket on the withholding table — even though your actual annual bracket may be lower.
Important clarification: whichever method is used, the withholding is just an estimate. Your actual bonus tax liability is determined by your total annual income at year-end. If too much is withheld, you get a refund. If too little is withheld, you pay the balance.
Real-World Withholding Examples
$10,000 Bonus — California
Federal withholding at 22%: $2,200. California state supplemental rate (10.23%): $1,023. Social Security (6.2%): $620. Medicare (1.45%): $145. Net bonus: approximately $6,012. The bonus "costs" nearly $4,000 in immediate withholding — but if your effective federal rate is 18%, you'll receive roughly $400 back when your return is filed.
$5,000 Bonus — Texas
No state income tax. Federal withholding at 22%: $1,100. FICA (7.65%): $382. Net bonus: approximately $3,518. Significantly higher take-home than a California resident receiving the same bonus.
When Bonus Withholding Leads to Over-Withholding
If your effective federal income tax rate is below 22% — common for single filers earning under $50,000 or married filers earning under $100,000 — the flat 22% federal withholding on your bonus will exceed your actual tax liability. The excess comes back as a larger refund. Nothing is permanently "lost" to the higher withholding rate.
Common Mistakes
Confusing withholding rate with actual tax rate
The 22% federal withholding on a bonus is not a special "bonus tax rate." It's a withholding estimate. Your actual marginal rate on the bonus depends on where that income falls in your total annual income. Someone in the 12% bracket who receives a $5,000 bonus taxed at 22% withholding will receive most of that overage back as a refund.
Receiving a bonus before expected and not accounting for the impact on overall bracket
A large bonus might push total annual income into a higher bracket. This doesn't mean the entire income is taxed at the new rate — only the portion above the bracket threshold. But the effective impact on the incremental income in the higher bracket is real.
Tips and Best Practices
- Ask HR which withholding method they use — if they use the aggregate method and it will significantly over-withhold, you may be able to request the percentage method.
- Don't spend your entire bonus immediately — especially in high-tax states, there may be a balance due at year-end depending on your full income picture.
- Consider directing a portion to 401(k) — if your plan allows, contributing a portion of your bonus pre-tax reduces the taxable amount immediately, before withholding is applied.
Related Calculators
- Paycheck Calculator — regular paycheck withholding estimates.
- Income Tax Calculator — full annual tax liability including bonus income.
- Salary Calculator — understand your regular take-home context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are bonuses taxed at a higher rate than regular income?
They're often withheld at a higher rate (22% flat vs. your regular withholding rate), but actual tax liability at year-end is calculated on total annual income. There's no special "bonus tax rate" — it's just income taxed at your marginal rate.
Can I avoid taxes on a bonus?
Not entirely, but you can reduce them. Contributing the bonus to a traditional 401(k), HSA, or flexible spending account before it's paid out (if allowed by your plan) reduces the taxable amount. You can't refuse withholding, but pre-tax contributions reduce the base the withholding applies to.
Do bonuses affect Social Security benefits?
Bonuses count as wages for Social Security purposes — they're subject to 6.2% Social Security tax (up to the annual wage base) and 1.45% Medicare. They count toward your Social Security earnings record, potentially increasing your future benefit.
What if I receive a bonus in December — does it affect my tax bracket for that year?
Yes. December bonuses are 2024 income reported on your 2024 W-2. If you're close to a bracket threshold, a December bonus can push you into the next bracket on the incremental amount. The amount of the bonus above the threshold is taxed at the higher marginal rate, not the entire bonus.
Key Takeaways
The shock of seeing 30%–40% withheld from a bonus is common and understandable, but the withholding is not the final tax. Over-withholding on bonuses is one of the most common reasons people receive federal refunds — the 22% flat rate frequently exceeds the effective tax rate for middle-income earners. The real focus should be on total annual income and total tax liability, not the withholding rate applied to any single payment.