California Payroll Calculator

Guide to Using the California Payroll Calculator

This California Payroll Calculator aids in determining the net pay for employees working within the state, taking into consideration various taxes and deductions. To use this calculator correctly, please follow the steps outlined below:

Step 1: Enter Your Pay Information

• Hourly Pay Rate: Input your hourly pay rate. Ensure that it is at least $15.50, as this is the minimum allowable rate. You can enter values using increments of $0.01.
• Regular Hours Worked: Enter the number of regular hours you have worked in the pay period, ranging from 0 to 168 hours. Only enter values in increments of 0.25 hours (e.g., 38.5, 40.25).
• Overtime Hours (1.5x): If applicable, enter the total overtime hours worked. This is paid at 1.5 times your hourly rate. Enter values between 0 and 168 hours, in increments of 0.25 hours.
• Double Time Hours (2x): If double time applies, enter these hours. These are paid at double your hourly rate. Values should be between 0 and 168 hours, and entered in 0.25-hour increments.

Step 2: Select Your Pay Frequency

Select how frequently you receive your paycheck. Options include:

• Weekly (52 times a year)
• Bi-Weekly (26 times a year)
• Semi-Monthly (24 times a year)
• Monthly (12 times a year)

Step 3: Provide Your Filing Status

Choose your filing status for tax purposes. Options available include:

• Single or Married (Filing Separately)
• Married Filing Jointly
• Head of Household

Step 4: Input Withholding Allowances

Enter the number of withholding allowances you claim. The minimum is 0, and you can increase this by whole numbers.

Step 5: Calculate Your Pay

Upon entering all the required information, the calculator will compute the following:

• Regular Pay: Calculates using your hourly pay rate and number of hours worked.
• Overtime Pay: Computes based on 1.5 times the regular hourly pay for entered overtime hours.
• Double Time Pay: Comes from 2 times the hourly pay for any double time hours.
• Gross Pay: The total sum of regular, overtime, and double time pay.

Step 6: Review Deductions

The calculator will automatically determine various tax deductions from your gross pay. This includes:

• Federal Income Tax: Estimated at 22% of your gross pay.
• California State Tax: Taken at 6% of your gross pay.
• Social Security Tax: Calculated as 6.2% of your gross pay up to a limit.
• Medicare Tax: Taken as 1.45% of your gross pay.
• State Disability Insurance (SDI): Determined at 0.9% of your gross pay.
• Total Deductions: The sum of all the above deductions.

Step 7: Obtain Your Net Pay

Your net pay is calculated by subtracting the total deductions from your gross pay. This figure represents the actual amount you take home after all applicable taxes and deductions have been applied.

By following these steps, you can accurately determine your net earnings using the California Payroll Calculator.