California Employer Payroll Tax Calculator
California Payroll Tax Calculator
Estimate California take-home pay, employee withholding, and employer payroll tax cost in one widescreen Elementor module. The engine uses 2026 IRS withholding methods, California EDD Method B, current CA SDI, UI, ETT, Social Security, Medicare, and FUTA wage-base rules.
Employee Withholding
Taxable Wage Bases
Employer Cost
2026 Payroll Rule Snapshot
For California payroll estimates| Tax | Who pays | 2026 rule used | Calculator treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | Employee withholding | IRS Pub. 15-T automated percentage method. | Annualizes taxable wages, applies W-4 Step 2, Step 3, Step 4(a), Step 4(b), and Step 4(c), then divides by pay periods. |
| California PIT | Employee withholding | EDD Method B annual tax tables, low income exemption, standard deduction, and exemption allowance credit. | Annualizes CA PIT wages, applies DE 4 allowances and estimated deduction allowances, then divides by pay periods. |
| Social Security and Medicare | Employee and employer | Social Security 6.2% each to $184,500; Medicare 1.45% each with no wage base; employee Additional Medicare 0.9% above $200,000. | Uses YTD wages before this check to apply the remaining wage base and threshold. |
| California SDI | Employee withholding | 1.3% SDI withholding rate, no taxable wage limit. | Applies 1.3% to estimated SDI taxable wages after pre-tax benefit exclusions. |
| CA UI, ETT, and FUTA | Employer | CA UI Schedule F+ first $7,000; ETT 0.1% first $7,000; FUTA 6.0% gross on first $7,000, typically 0.6% after maximum credit. | Lets the employer change UI and net FUTA rates and uses YTD wages before this check for the $7,000 wage base. |
This calculator is a planning estimate, not payroll tax, legal, or accounting advice. Real payroll can differ because of local taxes, multi-state rules, wage-type exemptions, taxable fringe benefits, supplemental wage treatment, DE 4/W-4 elections, pre-tax deduction eligibility, and employer-specific UI rate notices.
Primary references: IRS Publication 15-T (2026), IRS Publication 15 (2026), California EDD contribution and withholding rates, and California 2026 Method B withholding schedules.
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Disclaimer: The content provided on this webpage is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the information presented here, the details may change over time or vary in different jurisdictions. Therefore, we do not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or absolute accuracy of this information. The information on this page should not be used as a basis for making legal, financial, or any other key decisions. We strongly advise consulting with a qualified professional or expert in the relevant field for specific advice, guidance, or services. By using this webpage, you acknowledge that the information is offered “as is” and that we are not liable for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the content, nor for any actions taken based on the information provided. We shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of your access to, use of, or reliance on any content on this page.
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