Bonus Tax Calculator
Find out how much of your bonus will actually land in your bank account. Enter the bonus and your salary, and the calculator applies the flat 22% federal withholding most employers use for bonuses, plus Social Security, Medicare, and an optional state rate.
Bonuses aren’t taxed at a higher rate than your paycheck — they’re just withheld differently. The calculator also compares the 22% withholding with the tax your bonus really adds at your bracket, so you can see whether to expect a refund or a bill when you file.
Calculator
Many states withhold a flat rate on bonuses (and nine have no wage income tax). Check your pay stub or your state’s supplemental withholding rate, or leave 0 for federal only.
Bonus take-home pay
$7,035
70% of your $10,000 bonus
- Federal withholding (22% flat)
- $2,200
- Social Security (6.2%)
- $620
- Medicare (1.45%+)
- $145
Where your bonus goes
Uses the IRS percentage method for supplemental wages: a flat 22% federal withholding on bonuses up to $1 million in a year (37% above). Some employers use the aggregate method instead, combining the bonus with a regular paycheck, which can withhold more. Withholding is a prepayment — your actual tax is settled on your return.
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Calculation Formulas
The optional flat-rate (percentage) method most employers use for supplemental wages.
Example:
$10,000 × 22% = $2,200.
Payroll taxes apply to bonuses just like regular wages.
What the bonus costs at filing time, using 2026 brackets and the standard deduction.
Key Figures
| Figure | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Supplemental rate | 22% / 37% | Up to / above $1 million of supplemental wages. |
| Social Security wage base | $184,500 | 2026. |
Note: Results are estimates for planning purposes. Rates, fees, taxes, and insurance vary by lender and location — confirm exact figures with a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Standards & Sources
Last verified: October 2026
- IRS Publication 15 (Circular E)
Employers may withhold a flat 22% on supplemental wages, and must withhold 37% on supplemental wages above $1 million in a calendar year.
- Withholding vs. tax
Withholding is a prepayment. Your bonus is taxed as ordinary wages on your return, and any over- or under-withholding is settled then.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your bonus amount and your regular annual salary.
- Choose your filing status.
- Optionally enter your state’s withholding rate for bonuses.
- Read your take-home amount and whether you’ll likely owe or get money back at tax time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much tax is taken out of a bonus?
Most employers withhold a flat 22% for federal income tax on bonuses (37% on bonus pay above $1 million in a year), plus 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare, plus state tax where it applies. On a $10,000 bonus with no state tax, about $7,035 reaches you.
Why is my bonus taxed so high?
Usually it isn’t — it’s withheld at a flat rate that can be higher than your normal paycheck withholding, and FICA applies too. When you file, the bonus is taxed like the rest of your wages; if 22% was more than your bracket, you get the difference back.
Will I get some of my bonus tax back?
If your top bracket is 10% or 12%, the 22% withholding is more than the tax the bonus adds, so you’ll likely get part of it back as a refund. If you’re in the 24% bracket or higher, you’ll likely owe a bit more.
What is the aggregate method?
Some employers add the bonus to a regular paycheck and withhold as if you earned that much every pay period, which can withhold more than 22% for that check. It evens out when you file.
Guides to go with this calculator
Salary Negotiation: How Much More to Ask For
Most people accept the first number. A short, well-researched counter usually adds several thousand dollars — and because raises compound, that gap follows you for years.
How to Calculate Annual Salary From Hourly Pay
Turning an hourly wage into a yearly salary takes one multiplication — if you use the right number of hours. Here’s the formula, a mental-math shortcut, and the adjustments that matter.
Is Your Salary Good? Judge Offers by Take-Home
Two people earning the same salary can take home thousands of dollars apart. Here is how to judge an offer by what actually lands in your account — and where it goes furthest.
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