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Tax

Bonus Tax Calculator — What You Actually Keep

Enter your bonus and salary to see the withholding on your bonus check — and the real tax at your bracket.

Updated July 2026 · Figures verified July 2026 (sources) · Editorial standards

Bonus in your pocket (after withholding)
$7,035
Federal withheld (flat 22% method)
$2,200
Tax the bonus actually adds at filing
$2,200
FICA withheld (7.65%)$765True effective rate22.0%Back in your refund$0

Your bonus

$
$

Key figures

Net bonus
$7,035
Federal withheld
$2,200
FICA withheld
$765
Actual tax at filing
$2,200
Back in your refund
$0

Your employer withholds $2,200 (flat 22%), but at your bracket the bonus actually adds $2,200 of tax (22.0%) — expect to owe about $0 more at filing.You take home $7,035 of the $10,000 bonus after federal + FICA withholding. State income tax and 401(k) deferrals are not modeled.

Bonus in your pocket
$7,035
By KalkWiseVerified against official sources Updated July 2026

What is the bonus tax calculator 2026?

In short

A $10,000 bonus on an $80,000 salary loses $2,200 to the flat 22% federal withholding plus $765 of FICA — you pocket $7,035 from the check. But bonuses aren't taxed at a special rate: at filing this bonus adds exactly $2,200 of tax in the 22% bracket, so nothing extra is owed or refunded.

This calculator separates the two things people confuse about bonus taxes: the flat 22% federal WITHHOLDING your employer must take from the check (37% on supplemental wages over $1 million), and the tax the bonus ACTUALLY adds at filing — computed bracket-exactly on top of your salary. The difference shows up in your refund.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter the gross bonus amount before any withholding.
  2. 2Enter your annual salary without the bonus — this sets your real tax bracket.
  3. 3Pick your filing status.
  4. 4Compare the check withholding with the true tax added at filing — the gap is refunded (or owed) when you file.

The formula

withheld=22%×min(bonus,$1M)+37%×excess
actual tax=tax(salary+bonus)−tax(salary)
refund at filing=withheld−actual tax
Withheld = 22% × min(bonus, $1M) + 37% × excess over $1M. FICA = 7.65% × bonus. Actual tax = tax(salary + bonus) − tax(salary), bracket-exact. Refund at filing = withheld − actual.
22%
— IRS flat withholding rate on supplemental wages up to $1M/year
37%
— Mandatory rate on supplemental wages above $1M
actual
— What the bonus really adds at YOUR bracket — often less than 22%

Worked example

The scenario

gives

The result

Common use cases

  • Checking what a signing or year-end bonus is actually worth in your pocket
  • Explaining why the bonus check looks so small — and why part of it comes back at filing
  • High earners near $1M of supplemental wages planning around the mandatory 37% rate

Limitations & assumptions

  • Models the flat percentage withholding method — some employers use the aggregate method, which withholds as if the bonus were regular pay for that period.
  • State income tax and 401(k)/HSA deferrals from the bonus are not modeled.
  • FICA uses the flat 7.65%; the Social Security portion actually stops at the $176,100 wage base.
  • Assumes the standard deduction when computing your true bracket.

Frequently asked questions

No — that's the biggest bonus myth. Bonuses are WITHHELD at a flat 22% federal rate, but at filing they're ordinary income taxed at your normal bracket. A 12%-bracket worker who had 22% withheld gets the extra ~10% back in their refund.

Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.