California Paycheck Calculator

Yes. California withholds state income tax on a graduated schedule using the Employment Development Department's Method B, based on the filing status and allowances you claim on Form DE 4.

Yes. California State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a mandatory 1.3% employee-paid payroll tax that funds short-term disability and paid family leave benefits. As of 2024, California removed the SDI taxable wage cap, so the full 1.3% applies to all of your wages for the year, not just wages up to a limit.

No. California state income tax and SDI are calculated the same way statewide — no California city or county adds its own local income tax, so your paycheck withholding doesn't depend on which city you work in.

Your filing status (Single/Married with multiple incomes, Married one income, or Head of Household), withholding allowances, and any additional estimated-deduction allowances or extra withholding you've claimed on Form DE 4 — the same inputs your employer uses.

Yes. Every California estimate includes federal income tax withholding, Social Security, and Medicare alongside state income tax and SDI, so the result reflects your full paycheck, not just the state portion.

It follows the EDD's official 2026 withholding method exactly, including SDI. Your actual paycheck can still differ based on benefit elections, additional withholding you've requested, or payroll system rounding your employer uses.