How bonuses are taxed
A bonus is “supplemental wages”. Most employers withhold federal tax at a flat 22% (37% on supplemental pay above $1 million in a year), plus Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). States have their own bonus rules: California withholds 10.23%, flat-tax states usually withhold their flat rate, and the calculator shows the extra state tax the bonus adds for everyone else.
The 22% is only withholding. At tax time your bonus is taxed with the rest of your income. If your top bracket is 12%, you’ll likely get some back; if it’s 24% or higher, you may owe a little more. Switch the calculator to “Tax you actually owe” to see that version.
Example: a $5,000 bonus
Federal withholding $1,100, Social Security $310, Medicare $72.50. In Texas you receive $3,517.50; in California about $2,941.00 (after 10.23% state withholding and 1.3% SDI); in Massachusetts about $3,244.50.
Bonus after withholding, by state
| Bonus | Texas / Florida | California | Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $704 | $588 | $649 |
| $2,500 | $1,759 | $1,471 | $1,622 |
| $5,000 | $3,518 | $2,941 | $3,245 |
| $10,000 | $7,035 | $5,882 | $6,489 |
| $25,000 | $17,588 | $14,705 | $16,223 |
Salary plus bonus
For loans, offers and budgets you often need total pay: salary + bonus. A $70,000 salary with a 10% bonus is $77,000 a year. Use the take-home pay calculator with $77,000 to see the yearly after-tax total.
Flat withholding vs what you really owe
A single filer earning $80,000 who gets a $10,000 bonus has $2,200 withheld at the 22% flat rate. At tax time the bonus is taxed at the same 22% bracket, so the two match. Someone in the 24% or 32% bracket will owe a little more when they file; someone in the 12% bracket gets some back.
Related calculators
- Take-Home Pay Calculator: Your pay after federal, state and payroll taxes.
- Raise Calculator: New salary after a raise, or the raise percentage.
- California Take-Home Pay Calculator: CA paycheck after federal, state tax and SDI.
Questions people ask
Why is my bonus taxed so much?
It usually isn’t taxed more, just withheld differently. The flat 22% plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare, plus state tax, can take 30–40% of the check. Your tax return evens it out with your real bracket.
Can I put my bonus in my 401(k)?
Often yes, if your plan allows deferrals from bonuses. That lowers federal (and most state) income tax on it, though Social Security and Medicare still apply.
Formula checked October 2026 · How we calculate