California paycheck withholding calculator
Estimate how your paycheck withholding compares with a simplified annual California income tax estimate. Enter your yearly wages and the state tax amounts from your paystub. Review the assumptions before changing payroll settings.
California tax snapshot: California taxes wages with 9 graduated brackets ranging from 1% to 12.3%. The California standard deduction in this estimate is $5,540 for single filers — confirm the current-year figure in state instructions. The personal exemption is $144. To change California withholding, file California Form DE 4 with your employer.
Check your California paycheck withholding
Enter your yearly wages and the state tax amounts from your paystub. This is a planning estimate, not your final state tax bill.
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California income tax brackets (2026)
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 to $10,412 | 1% |
| $10,412 to $24,684 | 2% |
| $24,684 to $38,959 | 4% |
| $38,959 to $54,081 | 6% |
| $54,081 to $68,350 | 8% |
| $68,350 to $349,137 | 9.3% |
| $349,137 to $418,961 | 10.3% |
| $418,961 to $698,271 | 11.3% |
| $698,271 and over | 12.3% |
Standard deduction $5,540 (single). Personal exemption $144. Filing status, deductions, credits, and local taxes can change your actual withholding.
How to adjust California withholding
File California Form DE 4 with your employer to change California paycheck withholding. Confirm you have the current-year version, enter only the lines your situation requires, and check your next paystub's state-tax line to verify the change took effect within one or two pay periods.
What is the California state income tax rate?
California uses graduated brackets from 1% to a top rate of 12.3%. This is a planning estimate — check current state instructions for your filing status and year.
What form changes California withholding?
California Form DE 4. Ask HR for the current-year version; payroll generally applies the change within one or two pay periods.