1. What is the California Salary Calculator?

The California Salary Calculator estimates your net pay after accounting for federal tax, California state tax, and FICA (Social Security and Medicare) contributions for the 2025 tax year.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the following formula:

Where:

• Gross Pay — Your annual salary before taxes
• Federal Tax — Based on 2025 IRS tax brackets
• California State Tax — Progressive tax rates specific to California
• FICA — Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) taxes

3. Understanding Your Paycheck

Details: California has some of the highest state income taxes in the U.S. The calculator helps you understand how much of your salary goes to taxes and what you'll actually take home.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your gross annual salary and select your filing status. The calculator will estimate your federal tax, California state tax, FICA contributions, and net pay.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Are these tax rates final for 2025?
A: Tax brackets are adjusted annually for inflation. The calculator uses projected 2025 rates based on current trends.

Q2: What about local taxes?
A: This calculator doesn't include local taxes which some California cities may impose.

Q3: Does this account for deductions and credits?
A: No, this is a simplified estimate. Your actual taxes may vary based on deductions, credits, and other factors.

Q4: What's the difference between single and married filing jointly?
A: Married filing jointly typically has higher standard deductions and wider tax brackets, often resulting in lower taxes.

Q5: Why is California tax higher than other states?
A: California has a progressive income tax system with higher rates for upper income brackets compared to many other states.