Your bonus, after the withholding hit.
Bonuses get withheld at a flat 22% federal, plus FICA. Here's what actually lands.
Employers usually withhold bonuses at a flat 22% federal rate, plus FICA. That's what this shows — your actual tax is settled when you file.
Withholding isn't the final tax
The 22% is a flat estimate the IRS lets employers use. Your bonus is still just income: at filing time it's added to your salary and taxed at your real rate. If your top bracket is 12%, you'll likely get some back. If it's 24% or higher, you may owe a little.
Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) come out of a bonus too. Social Security stops once your total pay for the year passes $184,500.
Want the full picture of your regular pay? Try the paycheck calculator.
Questions
Why was so much taken out?
The IRS treats bonuses as supplemental wages, withheld at a flat 22% federal rate — often more than your normal paycheck rate.
Do I get some back?
Maybe. Withholding isn't your final tax. If 22% was more than your real rate, the difference comes back at filing.
What about state?
Many states withhold bonuses at their own flat rate. Add it in the state field for a closer number. In states with no income tax, leave it at 0.
What if my bonus is over $1 million?
Everything above $1 million in supplemental wages for the year must be withheld at 37%, the top federal rate. The calculator applies that automatically.
Why do some employers withhold differently?
If your bonus is added to a regular paycheck instead of paid separately, your employer may run it through the normal withholding tables. That can take out more or less than 22%.