How Much Is California Tax on a Paycheck?

Understanding the various deductions from your paycheck is important for managing your personal finances. In California, payroll taxes include state-specific withholdings that impact your net pay. These deductions fund state programs and services. This article explains the components of California payroll taxes and how they are calculated.

Components of a California Paycheck

A typical paycheck begins with gross pay, your total earnings before any deductions. Various deductions are then subtracted to arrive at your net pay. Some deductions are pre-tax, reducing your taxable income, such as 401(k) contributions or health insurance premiums. Other deductions are post-tax, taken out after taxes have been calculated.

Payroll deductions include federal taxes like federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. California paychecks also feature state-specific deductions. The primary California state deductions withheld from an employee’s wages are California Personal Income Tax (CA PIT) and State Disability Insurance (SDI). While Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Employment Training Tax (ETT) are also state employment taxes, employers generally pay these.

Calculating California State Withholding

California Personal Income Tax (CA PIT) is based on your taxable income. This income is derived from your gross pay after subtracting pre-tax deductions and considering any applicable standard or itemized deductions and personal exemptions. California employs a progressive tax bracket system, meaning higher income levels are subject to higher tax rates. The specific amount withheld for CA PIT depends on your declared allowances and other information provided to your employer.

State Disability Insurance (SDI) is a mandatory employee contribution that provides short-term disability and Paid Family Leave benefits. For 2025, the SDI withholding rate is 1.2 percent of your wages. Effective January 1, 2024, the taxable wage limit for SDI was eliminated, meaning all wages earned are now subject to this contribution, ensuring higher earners contribute on their entire income.

Employers contribute to Unemployment Insurance (UI) based on a percentage of the first $7,000 in wages paid to each employee annually. The Employment Training Tax (ETT) rate for 2025 is 0.1 percent on the first $7,000 of taxable wages per employee. These employer contributions fund benefits for unemployed individuals and support workforce training initiatives.

Factors Influencing Your California Withholding

Several elements influence the amount of California income tax withheld from your paycheck. Employees use the California Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate, Form DE 4, to inform their employer how much state income tax to withhold. This form allows you to adjust your withholding based on your personal financial situation.

Your filing status, such as single or married filing jointly, determines which tax brackets apply to your income and the amount of your standard deduction. This choice impacts the calculation of your taxable income for withholding purposes. Withholding allowances claimed on Form DE 4 represent various tax breaks, such as allowances for yourself or dependents. Claiming more allowances generally results in less tax withheld, while fewer allowances lead to more tax withheld.

You can also request an additional amount of California income tax to be withheld from each paycheck. This can be beneficial if you anticipate owing more tax at the end of the year or prefer a larger refund. Contributions to pre-tax accounts, such as 401(k) plans, health savings accounts, or certain health insurance premiums, reduce your taxable income and thus the amount of California Personal Income Tax withheld.

Reviewing Your Paystub for California Taxes

Locating California tax information on your paystub is straightforward. Most paystubs clearly label state tax deductions to distinguish them from federal taxes. You will find California Personal Income Tax designated by labels such as “CA PIT” or “CA Inc. Tax.”

The State Disability Insurance deduction is commonly identified as “CA SDI” or “SDI.” It is beneficial to review both the current pay period’s deductions and the year-to-date (YTD) amounts for each category. This helps you monitor your contributions and ensures accuracy.

Adjusting Your California Withholding

Employees can adjust their California tax withholding to better align with their tax liability. The method for doing this involves completing a new Form DE 4, the California Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate. This form can be obtained from your employer’s human resources department, payroll office, or downloaded from the Employment Development Department (EDD) website.

Once completed, submit the updated Form DE 4 to your employer’s HR or payroll department. Changes to your withholding take effect within one or two pay periods following submission. Review your withholding periodically, especially after life changes such as marriage, the birth of a child, or a change in income, to prevent over- or under-withholding.