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Bonus Tax Calculator: Take-Home After Tax

Use this bonus tax calculator to see how much of your bonus actually lands in your bank account. Calculate bonus tax under the IRS flat 22% supplemental rate, plus FICA and your state's withholding.

$
%
Federal withholding$0
FICA withholding$0
State withholding$0
Net bonus$0
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How this calculator works

The IRS treats bonuses as supplemental wages. Most employers use the simple flat percentage method — 22% federal withholding on the first $1,000,000 of supplemental wages in a calendar year, then 37% on anything above.

net = bonus − (bonus × fed%) − (bonus × FICA%) − (bonus × state%)
fed%
22% standard, 37% above $1M cumulative supplemental wages, OR your aggregate marginal rate if your employer uses that method
FICA
7.65% on bonuses up to the SS wage base; 1.45% above; +0.9% Additional Medicare on wages above $200K single / $250K MFJ
state%
State withholding rate. Some states have a separate supplemental rate; most just use the regular bracket.

If too much was withheld at the flat 22% (because your true bracket is 12% or 10%), you'll get the difference back as a refund when you file. The bonus isn't taxed at a higher rate overall — it's just withheld at a higher rate.

Source: IRS supplemental-wages rules — IRS Publication 15, Section 7. Additional Medicare Tax — IRS Additional Medicare Tax FAQ.

FAQ

How is bonus tax calculated?
Two methods. Flat method (most common): your employer withholds 22% federal on the first $1M of supplemental wages in the year, 37% above. Aggregate method: the bonus is added to your regular paycheck and withheld as if that combined amount were your normal pay rate. Both also apply FICA (7.65%) and state tax.
How do I calculate bonus after tax?
Subtract federal withholding (22% flat or 37% if total YTD bonuses exceed $1M), FICA (7.65% up to the SS wage base, 1.45% above), and your state tax rate. For a $5,000 bonus in a 4% state with FICA: $5,000 − $1,100 − $382 − $200 = $3,318 net. Use the calculator above for any combination.
Why does my bonus get withheld at 22% even though I'm in the 12% bracket?
Because the IRS supplemental wage rule defaults to a flat 22% withholding regardless of your actual bracket. The 'over-withholding' is recovered when you file your tax return — your refund will be larger by the difference. The bonus isn't taxed at 22%; it's just initially withheld at 22%.
What's the aggregate method for bonus tax?
Some employers combine your bonus with your regular paycheck and withhold based on the total amount as if that combined paycheck were your normal pay rate. This typically over-withholds even more than the flat method. If your employer uses aggregate, set the method to 'aggregate' and enter your federal marginal rate.
Are signing bonuses taxed differently?
No. A signing bonus, performance bonus, retention bonus and referral bonus are all 'supplemental wages' and follow the same flat 22% / 37% withholding rule. The only common exception: if a sign-on bonus is paid before you start (rare), it may be reported on a 1099-NEC instead of a W-2.
Is military bonus pay taxed the same way?
Mostly yes — re-enlistment, retention, and other military bonuses are taxed as supplemental wages at the flat 22% federal rate plus FICA. Exception: bonuses earned while in a combat zone are partially or fully exempt from federal income tax (see IRS Publication 3). State exemptions vary.
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