Bonus Tax Calculator
Federal, FICA and state withholding on a bonus.
Federal method
Filing status
Used for the Social Security wage base and Additional Medicare Tax.
Bonuses and commissions earlier in the year. Above $1 million, 37% applies.
Your result
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Enter your numbers to see the result.
This bonus tax calculator estimates how much will be withheld from a bonus check and what you take home. It uses the IRS flat 22% supplemental rate (37% on supplemental wages above $1 million) or an estimate of the aggregate method, adds Social Security and Medicare (with the wage base and Additional Medicare Tax), and a state withholding rate you choose.
What is a Bonus Tax Calculator?
A bonus is a supplemental wage, which the IRS lets employers withhold differently from regular pay. Most employers use the percentage method: a flat 22% federal withholding on supplemental wages up to $1 million in the year, and 37% on any amount above that.
Some employers instead use the aggregate method, adding the bonus to a regular paycheck and withholding as if that larger amount were your normal pay, which can withhold more. Social Security, Medicare and state tax are also taken out. This bonus tax calculator shows each part and your take-home amount.
How does the Bonus Tax Calculator work?
With the percentage method, federal withholding is 22% of the bonus, or 37% on the part above $1 million of supplemental wages for the year. The aggregate estimate annualizes your regular pay with and without the bonus using 2026 brackets and the standard deduction, and takes the difference. Social Security is 6.2% until wages reach $184,500; Medicare is 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages above $200,000.
How to use the Bonus Tax Calculator step by step
- Enter the bonus amount.
- Choose the percentage or aggregate method (ask payroll if unsure).
- For aggregate, enter your regular pay, pay frequency and filing status.
- Enter wages paid so far and any earlier supplemental wages.
- Set your state withholding rate.
- Read your take-home bonus and the breakdown.
Bonus Tax Calculator example with real numbers
Chris receives a $10,000 year-end bonus. He has earned $60,000 so far this year, his employer uses the 22% flat method, and his state withholds 5%.
| Example input | Value |
|---|---|
| Bonus amount | $10,000 |
| Federal method | Percentage (22%) |
| Wages paid so far this year | $60,000 |
| Supplemental wages already paid this year | $0 |
| State withholding rate | 5% |
| Example output | Value |
|---|---|
| Take-home bonus | $6,535 |
| Federal income tax withheld | $2,200 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $620 |
| Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% above $200,000) | $145 |
| State withholding | $500 |
| Total withheld | $3,465 |
The bonus tax calculator shows $2,200 of federal withholding and total withholding of $3,465, leaving a take-home bonus of $6,535.
Key features of this Bonus Tax Calculator
- 22% and 37% supplemental rates
- Aggregate method estimate
- Social Security wage base
- Additional Medicare Tax
- State withholding
Who should use the Bonus Tax Calculator?
Who is this Bonus Tax Calculator for?
- Employees expecting a bonus
- Sales staff paid commissions
- HR and payroll teams
- Anyone comparing bonus offers
Practical use cases
- Estimating a bonus check
- Understanding why a bonus seems over-taxed
- Planning a 401(k) contribution from a bonus
- Comparing gross and net offers
Key benefits
- Both methods: percentage and aggregate.
- Complete: federal, FICA and state.
- Clear: take-home in one number.
- Private: runs in your browser.
Tips for better results
- Withholding is not the final tax; you settle up when you file.
- Ask payroll to put part of the bonus into your 401(k) to lower taxable income.
- If you are past the Social Security wage base, less is withheld.
- Some states have their own supplemental rate.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Thinking bonuses are taxed at a higher rate than salary.
- Forgetting FICA and state tax.
- Assuming 22% is your final federal tax.
- Ignoring the 37% rule above $1 million.
Limitations of this Bonus Tax Calculator
- The aggregate method is an estimate.
- Pre-tax deductions such as 401(k) are not included.
- Local taxes are not included.
Bonus Tax Calculator vs other ways to calculate
| Method | Federal withholding | Used when |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage | Flat 22% (37% above $1M) | Bonus paid separately |
| Aggregate | Regular tables on combined pay | Bonus combined with salary |
For your regular paycheck, use the paycheck calculator. For your full-year tax, try the US income tax calculator.
Privacy and data handling
This Bonus Tax Calculator runs entirely in your browser. The numbers you type are not sent to Qorico or stored on any server, and nothing is saved after you close the page. The Copy and Download buttons create the result on your own device. If the page has analytics turned on, it may count that a calculation happened, but it does not record the values you entered.
Bonus Tax Calculator FAQs
How much tax is taken out of a bonus?
Usually 22% federal, plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare and any state tax.
Why is my bonus taxed so high?
Withholding uses a flat rate or treats the bonus as regular pay, which can over-withhold. Your actual tax is settled when you file.
What is the 2026 supplemental withholding rate?
22% up to $1 million of supplemental wages in the year, and 37% above that.
Is a bonus taxed differently from salary?
No. It is taxed the same on your return; only the withholding method differs.
Can I reduce tax on my bonus?
Contributing part of it to a 401(k) or HSA through payroll can reduce taxable income.
Does a bonus count toward the Social Security wage base?
Yes. Once total wages reach $184,500 in 2026, Social Security is no longer withheld.
Related tools
Sources and references
We checked the method and the current figures used in this Bonus Tax Calculator against these official and primary sources:
- IRS Publication 15: Employer's Tax Guide (supplemental wages)
- IRS: Tax Withholding Estimator
- IRS Publication 15-T
- Social Security Administration
Written and reviewed by the Qorico Team
