Bonus Tax Calculator
See exactly how much of your bonus you'll actually take home after federal withholding, FICA, and state taxes.
By the Easy Guides Editorial Team
Bonuses are "supplemental wages" and are often withheld at a flat 22% federal rate, plus FICA and state tax. This makes your bonus check look heavily taxed, but it's not a permanent higher rate, any over-withholding is refunded when you file your taxes.
Your gross bonus before any deductions.
Your state's typical withholding rate. Leave blank if your state has no income tax.
Educational estimate only, not tax advice. Uses the common 22% federal supplemental withholding rate. Your employer may use a different method (aggregate) if your bonus is combined with regular wages. State rates vary; this is a rough estimate. Any over-withholding is refunded when you file.
How bonuses are taxed
Most employers use the flat supplemental rate: 22% federal withholding on the bonus, plus Social Security, Medicare, and state tax. That is why a bonus can feel like it lost a third of its value on the way to your account.
The key thing to understand is that this is withholding, not your final tax. If your real tax rate is below 22%, the extra comes back as a refund when you file. If it is higher, you owe the difference. The bonus is just ordinary income once the year is totalled.
Some employers instead use the aggregate method, which lumps the bonus into a regular paycheck and withholds as though you earn that much every period. That usually withholds more up front, and it also evens out at filing time.
What to do with this
Do not treat the withheld amount as the tax. The real number is settled on your return.
Consider a pre-tax home for it. Routing part of a bonus into a 401(k) or HSA avoids income tax on that portion entirely.
Check your withholding after a big bonus. Our take-home pay calculator shows where the rest of the year lands.
Common questions
Why is my bonus taxed at 22%?
Bonuses are 'supplemental wages,' and the IRS allows employers to withhold them at a flat 22% federal rate for convenience. This is just withholding, not your actual tax rate. If you're in a lower bracket, you'll get the difference back when you file your taxes.
Are bonuses taxed higher than regular pay?
No. Bonuses are taxed as ordinary income at your marginal tax rate. However, the withholding method (often 22% flat) can make it look like they're taxed more. Your actual tax is calculated when you file, and any over-withheld amount is refunded.
How much of my bonus will I actually get?
After 22% federal withholding, 7.65% FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and state tax (if applicable), you typically keep 60-70% of your gross bonus. The exact amount depends on your state's tax rate.