The flat rate method (22%) and aggregate method produce different results. This calculator shows both so you can compare.
Supplemental Wages
Bonus tax calculator that shows your take-home after withholding.
Enter your bonus amount, withholding method (flat rate or aggregate), annual salary, pay frequency, filing status, and state tax rate to calculate federal, state, and FICA withholding on your bonus payment.
Direct answerBonuses are taxed as supplemental wages. The flat rate method withholds 22% federal tax on bonuses under $1 million. The aggregate method combines the bonus with regular pay and taxes at your marginal rate. Both methods also withhold Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). This calculator shows total withholding and your net bonus.
Flat rate and aggregate methodsFederal, state, and FICA includedNet take-home shown
1. Enter your details
CalculatorEnter your bonus amount, withholding method, salary, and tax details to calculate total withholding and net bonus.
Enter your bonus details or load a sample scenario to calculate withholding and take-home amount.
Live Tool
Bonus Tax Calculator in the browser
Enter your bonus details to calculate withholding and net take-home amount.
Privacy-first workflow
This page runs in the browser. No compensation data is sent to any server.
What this bonus tax calculator solves
Bonus withholding surprises are one of the most common paycheck complaints. This calculator shows exactly how much will be withheld and why.
Federal income tax is only part of the withholding. Social Security, Medicare, and state taxes add up. See the complete picture.
Know your actual deposit amount before the bonus arrives so you can plan spending, saving, or debt payoff decisions.
Key signals
Federal withholding, state withholding, FICA taxes, total withholding, and net bonus.
Decision support
Effective withholding rate, method comparison, and optimization opportunities.
Detailed breakdown
Line-by-line withholding detail for federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare.
Calculate withholding using both the flat rate (22%) and aggregate methods to see which produces higher or lower withholding.
Shows federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and state tax withholding separately for full transparency.
Subtracts all withholding from your bonus to show the actual amount that hits your bank account.
Accounts for year-to-date bonus payments to check for the $1 million threshold where the federal rate jumps to 37%.
Guide Below The Tool
How to use the bonus tax calculator well
Key concepts, practical steps, and guidance for understanding bonus withholding.
A bonus tax calculator computes the federal, state, and FICA withholding on supplemental wage payments (bonuses) using either the flat rate method (22% federal for bonuses under $1 million) or the aggregate method (combined with regular pay and taxed at the marginal rate).
Employees expecting a bonus who want to know their net take-home, payroll administrators choosing between withholding methods, HR professionals explaining bonus taxation to employees, and financial planners modeling after-tax income.
Withholding is not the same as the final tax. The flat rate or aggregate method determines how much is withheld upfront, but your actual tax liability is calculated on your annual return. Over-withheld amounts come back as a refund. Under-withheld amounts are due with your return.
Workflow
Four practical steps
Use this calculator to estimate your bonus take-home, compare withholding methods, and plan for the net amount.
1
Enter your bonus amount and choose the method.If your employer pays the bonus on a separate check, they will likely use the flat rate method (22%). If combined with regular pay, they may use the aggregate method.
2
Enter your salary and pay details.The aggregate method needs your regular salary and pay frequency to calculate the marginal rate. Even for flat rate, salary context helps estimate your actual year-end tax.
3
Add filing status and state rate.Filing status affects the aggregate method calculation. State tax rates vary and are applied on top of federal withholding.
4
Review the complete withholding breakdown.Check federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare withholding separately. The net bonus is your actual take-home amount.
Review Checklist
What to validate first
Key details that affect bonus tax withholding.
The 22% flat rate is a withholding estimate, not your actual tax rate. If your marginal rate is lower, you will get a refund. If higher, you may owe when you file.
For supplemental wages exceeding $1 million in a calendar year (cumulative, not per bonus), the federal withholding rate jumps to 37%. Track prior bonuses year-to-date.
If your year-to-date earnings including the bonus exceed the Social Security wage base ($176,100 for 2026), the 6.2% Social Security tax stops on the excess.
Some states have their own flat supplemental wage rates. Others require the aggregate method for state withholding. Check your state's rules.
Some employers allow you to direct a portion of your bonus to a 401(k) or HSA before taxes. This reduces the taxable amount and your withholding.
The calendar year your bonus is paid in determines the tax year. A December bonus paid in January counts as next year's income. Timing can shift your tax bracket.
Why This Page Exists
Built to demystify bonus tax withholding and set realistic take-home expectations
Bonus withholding surprises are one of the most searched payroll topics. This page gives you the exact numbers before your bonus arrives.
See federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare withholding separately instead of wondering why your bonus seems so heavily taxed.
Understand the difference between flat rate and aggregate withholding so you know what to expect from your employer's payroll system.
Ledger Summit can build compensation modeling tools for HR and payroll teams. This page delivers value right now.
FAQ
Bonus tax questions, answered directly
Short answers for searchers and answer engines.
Bonuses are supplemental wages taxed using either the flat rate method (22% federal for bonuses under $1 million) or the aggregate method (combined with regular pay at marginal rates). Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) are withheld on top of income tax.
The flat rate method withholds a flat 22% for federal income tax on supplemental wages up to $1 million. Above $1 million, the rate is 37%. This method is simpler and typically used when the bonus is paid on a separate check.
The aggregate method combines the bonus with your most recent regular paycheck, calculates withholding on the combined total, then subtracts the tax already withheld on regular pay. The difference is the bonus withholding. This often results in higher withholding.
The 22% is the federal income tax withholding rate only. Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), and state taxes are additional. Your actual tax rate depends on your total annual income. Over-withheld amounts are refunded when you file.
You cannot directly change the withholding method. However, you can adjust your W-4, increase 401(k) contributions from your bonus, or contribute to an HSA. If too much is withheld, you will receive the difference as a refund when you file your tax return.
Next Step
Need compensation modeling tools for your team?
Use the free calculator to estimate bonus take-home. If you need multi-employee compensation modeling or payroll integration, Ledger Summit can build the next layer.
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