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Bonus Calculator

Estimate what you’ll take home from a bonus after federal, Social Security, Medicare and state withholding.

Updated 2026-09-30
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Why bonuses look taxed more

When a bonus is paid separately from your regular wages, most employers withhold federal income tax at a flat 22%, plus 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare. That’s why a $5,000 bonus lands as about $3,500 in a state with no income tax.

Withholding isn’t your final tax. If 22% is more than your actual rate, you get the difference back when you file. Supplemental wages over $1 million in a year are withheld at 37%.

Bonus take-home
— After withholding
Gross bonus
—
Federal withholding
—
Social Security (6.2%)
—
Medicare (1.45%)
—
State withholding
—
Take-home
—
Gross-up
—

Bonus take-home
—

Common questions

How much tax is taken out of a bonus?

Usually a flat 22% for federal income tax, 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare, plus any state withholding. On $5,000 in a no-income-tax state, that leaves $3,517.50.

How do I gross up a bonus?

Divide the amount you want to land by one minus the total withholding rate. To take home $5,000 in a no-income-tax state: $5,000 ÷ (1 − 0.2965) = $7,107.32.

What is the aggregate method?

The employer adds the bonus to a regular paycheck and withholds as if you earned that combined amount every period. It often withholds more than 22% on large bonuses, but your final tax is the same when you file.

Can I put my bonus into my 401(k)?

If your plan allows it, deferring part of the bonus lowers the amount subject to federal income tax withholding. Social Security and Medicare still apply to the full bonus.

How this is calculated

Method
Federal withholding = bonus × 22% (percentage method), or the extra withholding on a paycheck that includes the bonus (aggregate method).
Social Security = bonus × 6.2% up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500. Medicare = bonus × 1.45%.
State withholding = bonus × the state’s supplemental rate.
Gross-up = the bonus whose take-home equals your target, solved to the cent.
Assumptions
  • Year-to-date wages are below the Social Security wage base.
  • Supplemental wages are under $1 million for the year; any amount over is withheld at 37%.
  • The aggregate method treats the combined paycheck as if it were earned every pay period, using the 2026 brackets and standard deduction.
  • Withholding isn’t your final tax. The difference is settled when you file.
Sources
Methodology reviewed 2026-09-30 · See our methodology for how we build and test calculators.