Bonus Tax Calculator — 2026 Take-Home Pay After Tax

Your bonus check gets taxed differently than your regular paycheck. Most workers are shocked by how much comes out. This free bonus tax calculator shows you exactly what you will keep after federal tax, state tax, and FICA deductions.

Enter your bonus amount, your state, and your regular pay details. Get your net bonus in seconds.

Annual gross salary

Bonus amount

Filing status

State

Percentage method

$6,632.73

22% flat federal supplemental rate

Federal (22%)− $2,200.00

Social Security− $620.00

Medicare− $145.00

California tax− $402.27

Aggregate method

$6,119.90

Bonus added to annual income, taxed at your marginal rate

Federal (marginal)− $2,200.00

Social Security− $620.00

Medicare− $145.00

California tax− $915.10

Estimates only. Most employers use the percentage method for bonuses ≤ $1M. Your final federal tax bill is based on your full annual income, so withholding may be reconciled at tax time.

Difference

$512.83

The percentage method gives you slightly more take-home in this scenario.

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Why Is My Bonus Taxed So High?

Bonuses are classified as supplemental income by the IRS. The federal government taxes supplemental income using special rules that are different from your regular withholding.

There are two methods employers use to calculate bonus withholding.

The flat supplemental rate method applies a flat 22% federal income tax rate to your entire bonus. This is the most common method because it is simple for payroll departments to administer. Social Security and Medicare are also withheld on top of the 22%.

The aggregate method adds your bonus to your most recent regular paycheck and calculates total withholding as if that combined amount were your normal pay. This usually results in higher withholding because the combined check pushes you into a higher bracket temporarily.

If your bonus is large enough, a third rule applies. Bonuses above $1,000,000 are taxed at 37% on the amount over $1 million, regardless of your actual tax bracket.

Your state also withholds based on its own supplemental income rules. Some states use the same flat supplemental rate as the federal government. Others use your regular withholding rate. Use the calculator above to see the exact combined total for your state.

How Much Will I Actually Keep From My Bonus?

Here are estimates for a single filer receiving a $5,000 bonus in a state with a 5% flat income tax rate. These assume the flat method and include FICA.

A $5,000 bonus grosses down to approximately $3,447 after 22% federal tax, 6.2% Social Security, 1.45% Medicare, and 5% state income tax. The total withholding rate is approximately 31.1%.

A $10,000 bonus in the same scenario nets approximately $6,893.

A $20,000 bonus nets approximately $13,786.

Your actual net will differ based on your state's specific bonus withholding rules and whether your employer uses the flat or aggregate method. Run your numbers in the calculator above for your exact situation.

The Flat Rate Method vs. the Aggregate Method

The flat rate method is simpler. Your employer withholds exactly 22% for federal income tax on the bonus, then adds Social Security, Medicare, and state tax. The result is easy to predict.

The aggregate method is more complex. Your employer adds the bonus to your last regular paycheck and recalculates withholding as if that were your standard bi-weekly pay. This often results in higher withholding, especially if your regular paycheck already puts you in a higher bracket. The resulting withholding may be more accurate to your actual tax liability, but it feels harsher in the moment.

If too much is withheld using the aggregate method, you get it back as part of your tax refund in the spring. The money does not disappear. It is held by the IRS until you file.

Does FICA Apply to Bonus Checks?

Yes. Social Security and Medicare are withheld from bonus checks the same as from regular wages.

Social Security withholds 6.2% on wages up to the 2026 wage base of $176,100. If your total wages plus bonus for the year will exceed $176,100, Social Security withholding stops once you cross that threshold. Your employer's payroll system tracks this automatically.

Medicare withholds 1.45% with no cap. Workers earning above $200,000 single or $250,000 married pay the additional 0.9% Medicare surtax.

On a $5,000 bonus, you can expect $310 withheld for Social Security and $72.50 for Medicare, assuming you have not yet crossed the Social Security wage base for the year.

Will I Get My Bonus Tax Back?

You might. How much of the withheld bonus tax you get back depends on your total tax liability for the year versus the total tax withheld.

If your employer used the flat 22% federal rate and your actual marginal rate is lower than 22%, you get a refund for the difference. A worker in the 12% federal bracket who had a bonus withheld at 22% will get back roughly 10% of the bonus amount when they file.

If your actual rate is higher than 22% and you had other income not withheld correctly, you may owe at filing. This is rare for single-job workers with standard W-4 settings.

The safest way to estimate is to run your full annual income through the paycheck calculator and compare total withholding to estimated tax owed.

Frequently Asked Questions — Bonus Tax Calculator

How is a bonus taxed federally in 2026?+

The IRS taxes bonuses as supplemental wages. The most common method is the flat supplemental rate of 22% for bonuses up to $1 million. This 22% is in addition to Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and your state income tax. So on a $5,000 bonus, federal income tax withholding alone is $1,100. If your employer uses the aggregate method instead, the withholding may be higher or lower depending on your regular paycheck amount. Bonuses over $1 million face a 37% federal rate on the portion above the million-dollar threshold.

Can I ask my employer to withhold less from my bonus?+

You cannot instruct your employer to skip or reduce withholding on a bonus. Federal law requires employers to withhold taxes on supplemental wages. You can, however, adjust your regular W-4 settings later in the year to compensate for extra withholding on a bonus. Workers who get a large bonus early in the year sometimes reduce their regular withholding slightly for the remaining pay periods. Consult a tax professional before doing this.

Does a bonus push me into a higher tax bracket?+

A bonus can push some of your income into a higher bracket, but it does not raise the rate on your entire income. The US uses progressive brackets. Only the income above each threshold is taxed at the higher rate. A worker with $70,000 in salary and a $5,000 bonus will have that extra $5,000 taxed at 22% (the bracket for income between $48,476 and $103,350 for single filers in 2026), not at the lower 12% rate that applies to most of their salary. Use the calculator to see your exact bracket exposure.

What states have no income tax on bonuses?+

Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming have no state income tax. Bonuses paid to workers in these states are only subject to federal income tax and FICA. New Hampshire taxes only interest and dividend income, not wages or bonuses. Workers in these nine states keep more of every bonus check. A $5,000 bonus in Texas nets approximately $3,597 after federal tax and FICA versus $3,447 in a state with a 5% income tax rate.

Is a signing bonus taxed the same as a year-end bonus?+

Yes. A signing bonus is also classified as supplemental income by the IRS. Your new employer will withhold using the same flat 22% federal supplemental rate (or aggregate method). Signing bonuses often come before you receive your first regular paycheck, so the aggregate method may produce different results than a year-end bonus that comes alongside regular pay. If your signing bonus has a clawback clause requiring repayment if you leave early, keep that in mind when spending it.

This bonus tax calculator provides estimates for planning purposes only. It does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for advice specific to your situation.