See how much of a bonus you keep after withholding. Enter the bonus, payroll taxes already paid by this employer and its controlled group, and your state tax rate. Free, private, and runs entirely in your browser.
This estimate uses the IRS separately identified supplemental-wage method: 22% on eligible supplemental wages through $1 million for the year and 37% on the excess. Social Security uses the 2026 $184,500 wage base; Medicare and Additional Medicare withholding are estimated separately. State tax depends on the rate entered. Actual payroll withholding may use another permitted method.
How much tax is taken from a $5,000 bonus? With 22% federal, 7.65% FICA and a 5% state rate, about $1,732.50 is withheld, leaving about $3,267.50.
Is a bonus taxed more than regular pay? It is usually withheld at a flat rate, which can be higher or lower than your normal withholding. Your actual tax depends on your total income and is settled at filing.
A $5,000 bonus with 22% federal withholding, a 5% state rate and FICA: federal $1,100, Social Security $310, Medicare $72.50 and state $250. Total withheld is $1,732.50, which is 34.65%, so you take home $3,267.50.
Does the 37% rate apply to my whole bonus? No. It applies only to supplemental wages above $1 million in a calendar year.
Are bonuses subject to FICA? Yes. Social Security and Medicare apply to bonuses just like regular pay.
The flat supplemental wage rate was lowered from 25% to 22% by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, and IRS guidance for 2026 keeps it at 22%, with 37% above $1 million. Before flat rates were allowed, employers often added bonuses to regular pay and withheld as if the larger amount were earned every period, which made withholding look much higher.
Use this calculator to plan around a year-end bonus, a signing bonus or a sales commission. Enter this employer’s prior Social Security wages and Medicare wages, plus earlier supplemental wages paid by this employer or controlled group, so the thresholds are estimated. This is an estimate based on 2026 federal rates, not tax advice, so confirm the details with your payroll department or a tax professional.
Is a signing bonus taxed the same way? Usually yes. Signing bonuses are supplemental wages too.
Can I change how much is withheld? You can adjust your Form W-4 for regular pay, but the flat rate on a separately paid bonus is set by the employer under IRS rules.