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Bonus tax calculator

Bonuses are supplemental wages. Most employers withhold a flat 22% federal tax plus Social Security and Medicare – enter the bonus to see what lands in your account.

Tax year 2026 Rules checked: November 2026 How we calculate

$
$

Used for the Social Security cap and the 37% rate on supplemental wages over $1 million.

%

Leave 0 for states without income tax. Many states publish a flat supplemental rate.

More options
$
Bonus after withholding$3,517.50
Federal withholding
$1,100.0022% flat rate
Social Security + Medicare
$382.50
Share withheld
29.65%
Where the money goes
  • You receive$3,51870%
  • Federal$1,10022%
  • FICA$3838%
Bonus
$5,000.00
Federal income tax (supplemental rate)
−$1,100.00
Social Security (6.2%)
−$310.00
Medicare (1.45%)
−$72.50
Net bonus
$3,517.50
  • Employers can withhold a flat 22% on bonuses paid separately from regular wages (IRS percentage method). Some add the bonus to a regular paycheck instead (aggregate method), which can withhold more or less.
  • Withholding is not the final tax: the bonus is taxed with the rest of your income when you file, so too much withheld comes back as a refund.

This is an estimate based on published rates, not tax or financial advice. Your payslip or assessment may differ. We are an independent site, not affiliated with any government agency.

How bonuses are withheld

The IRS lets employers withhold on supplemental wages – bonuses, commissions, severance, back pay – in one of two ways:

  • Percentage (flat) method – a flat 22% federal income tax when the bonus is paid separately or identified separately. Supplemental pay above $1 million in a year is withheld at 37%, without exception.
  • Aggregate method – the bonus is added to a regular paycheck and withheld as if you earned that much every pay period, which often withholds more than 22%.

Social Security (6.2% up to the $184,500 wage base) and Medicare (1.45%) apply either way.

Worked example: $10,000 bonus

$10,000 bonus, $60,000 earned so far, no state income tax

Bonus after withholding$7,035.00
Federal withholding
$2,200.0022% flat rate
Social Security + Medicare
$765.00
Share withheld
29.65%
Bonus
$10,000.00
Federal income tax (supplemental rate)
−$2,200.00
Social Security (6.2%)
−$620.00
Medicare (1.45%)
−$145.00
Net bonus
$7,035.00

State tax on bonuses

Many states publish their own supplemental withholding rate – often their flat income tax rate. States without a wage tax (Texas, Florida, Nevada, Washington, Tennessee, South Dakota, Wyoming, New Hampshire, Alaska) withhold nothing. Enter your state’s rate in the calculator; your state paycheck calculator shows the regular-wage withholding.

Questions people ask

How much tax is taken out of a $5,000 bonus?

With the 22% flat rate, $1,100 of federal income tax plus $310 of Social Security and $72.50 of Medicare, so you receive $3,517.50 before any state tax.

Why are bonuses taxed at 22%?

That is the IRS optional flat withholding rate for supplemental wages up to $1 million a year; above $1 million employers must withhold 37%. It is withholding, not the final tax – the bonus is taxed with your other income on your return.

Will I get the bonus tax back?

If your real tax rate is below 22%, the extra withholding comes back as part of your refund. If you are in the 24% bracket or higher, you may owe a little more when you file.

Official sources

Rules checked: November 2026.

This is an estimate based on published rates, not tax or financial advice. Your payslip or assessment may differ. We are an independent site, not affiliated with any government agency. Read the full disclaimer.