U.S. pay referenceIndependent reference · Updated August 2026

calculator

Bonus Tax Calculator

Bonus Tax Calculator: a practical, source-aware guide with clear next steps.

Planning tool

Enter your figures

User-rate planning estimateBonus take-home arithmetic using user-entered federal, state and deduction assumptions.
This is a planning estimate. Confirm current rates, thresholds and filing treatment with the linked government authority or a qualified professional.

Bonus Tax Calculator

This bonus tax calculator estimates how much of a gross payment reaches your paycheck after the deductions you enter. It does not apply assumed rates; it uses the amounts you provide.

Enter:

  • Gross bonus: $____
  • Federal income tax withholding: $____
  • Social Security withholding: $____
  • Medicare withholding: $____
  • State and local taxes: $____
  • Other payroll deductions: $____

Estimated net bonus:

Gross payment − all entered taxes and deductions

Use figures from your payroll department or a recent paycheck. Enter zero if an item does not apply.

For example, Florida, Nevada and Texas do not impose an individual state income tax, although local rules and your payroll circumstances may still affect the payment. The explanation below identifies what the calculator includes.

What Does the Result Mean?

The result is an estimate of the amount left after subtracting the figures you provide.

A small difference may result from rounding. A moderate difference may reflect payroll settings.

A large difference may occur if the employer applies different supplemental wage or state rules. Withheld amounts count toward annual obligations, but they do not necessarily represent your final tax liability.

Your filing result depends on your annual income, deductions, credits and other financial information.

The calculator excludes employer-paid Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) amounts because FUTA generally does not reduce an employee’s wages. A calculator based on employee deductions should exclude these employer-paid amounts.

Check the calculation method before relying on the estimate.

How Is the Bonus Estimate Calculated?

The calculator uses a subtraction method: net pay equals gross supplemental pay minus every employee tax amount and deduction entered.

Employers may process the payment using a separate supplemental wage method or an aggregate method. Under the aggregate method, the employer combines the bonus with regular wages and calculates withholding on the combined paycheck.

Payroll then accounts for the amounts associated with regular wages. The selected method can change the paycheck amount even when the employee’s eventual taxes remain unchanged.

Formula:

Net bonus = gross bonus − federal tax − Social Security − Medicare − state and local tax − other deductions

This calculator was reviewed on August 8, 2026. It does not automatically determine current federal or state rates, wage limits or employee elections.

Verify date-sensitive information with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the responsible state revenue agency and your employer. The worked example below shows how to apply the method.

Worked Example

This bonus example shows every amount entered, so you can check the calculation.

Assume an employee receives a $2,000 bonus. Their payroll record shows $440 of federal tax, $124 of Social Security, $29 of Medicare, $100 of state taxes and no other deductions.

$2,000 − $440 − $124 − $29 − $100 = $1,307

The estimated net bonus is $1,307. These figures illustrate the calculation only; they are not current rates or a recommendation for any state.

If payroll uses the aggregate method, the actual paycheck may differ. The FAQs explain what to check next.

Bonus Calculator FAQs

These answers cover accuracy, assumptions, privacy and the next practical step.

Is this estimate accurate?

The bonus estimate is only as accurate as the information entered. If your employer has not confirmed the method, compare low, middle and high tax estimates.

Are bonuses taxed differently from regular wages?

A bonus is taxable compensation, but employers may calculate the amount withheld under supplemental wage procedures or the aggregate method. The withholding method does not determine your final tax liability.

Does the calculator store my information?

This page does not state that it stores, transmits or protects the information you enter. Review the site’s privacy notice, and do not enter identifiers such as a Social Security number.

What should I do after calculating my bonus?

Compare the estimate with your pay statement and ask your employer’s payroll department to confirm the applicable treatment. Then use the IRS estimator to review your overall federal withholding.

Other paycheck calculators can help with regular wages, but direct personalized tax questions to a qualified tax professional.

Next step

Related resources

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Payroll Tax Calculator

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Federal Withholding Calculator

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Common questions

Frequently asked

how is a bonus taxed

See the researched explanation in the guide above, then verify any date-sensitive treatment with the responsible authority before acting.

why is bonus withholding higher

See the researched explanation in the guide above, then verify any date-sensitive treatment with the responsible authority before acting.

how much of my bonus will i take home

See the researched explanation in the guide above, then verify any date-sensitive treatment with the responsible authority before acting.

Verification layer

Sources and updates

Rules can change. We prioritize the authority responsible for the form, rate, fee or procedure and keep the full list available without interrupting the guide.

View 2 primary sources