Bonus Tax Calculator
See your bonus take-home under the percentage and aggregate methods.
Formula
About this calculator
A bonus almost never lands in your account at full value, and the reason surprises most people: the IRS treats bonuses as "supplemental wages" and applies special withholding rules that are different from your regular paycheck. Knowing which method your employer uses — and what the real deductions are — tells you what you can actually count on spending.
There are two ways an employer can withhold tax on a bonus. The percentage method is the most common: a flat 22% federal rate is applied to the bonus on its own (rising to 37% on any portion above $1 million). The aggregate method instead lumps the bonus in with your most recent regular paycheck and withholds as if that were your normal pay, which pushes withholding up to your marginal bracket. Either way, Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage cap), Medicare (1.45%) and any state income tax also come out.
This calculator runs both methods side by side using your bonus amount, your regular salary and your state, so you can see the take-home difference. Remember that withholding is not your final tax bill — it is a prepayment. If the percentage method withholds more than you truly owe, you get the difference back as a refund when you file; if it withholds less, you may owe a little more. The figures here are estimates for a single filer and are not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my bonus taxed at 22%?
22% is the flat federal withholding rate the IRS sets for supplemental wages like bonuses under the percentage method, for amounts up to $1 million. It is a withholding rate, not necessarily your final tax rate — the true amount owed is settled when you file your return.
What is the difference between the percentage and aggregate methods?
The percentage method taxes the bonus separately at a flat 22% federal rate. The aggregate method combines the bonus with your regular paycheck and withholds at your marginal bracket, which is often higher. Employers choose which to use.
Will I get some of the bonus tax back?
Possibly. Withholding is a prepayment, not your final bill. If more was withheld than you actually owe for the year, the excess comes back as a refund when you file. If too little was withheld, you may owe the difference.
Is Social Security and Medicare taken from a bonus?
Yes. Bonuses are subject to FICA just like regular wages: 6.2% for Social Security up to the annual wage cap, plus 1.45% for Medicare with no cap.
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⚠️ This is a simplified estimate for a single filer and is for planning only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your W-4, filing status, year-to-date earnings and state rules. Confirm with your payroll department or a tax professional.