California withholds state income tax from 1.1% to 14.63% under its 2026 withholding tables, plus 1.3% for State Disability Insurance. See how much of your paycheck stays with you.
Estimate only, based on 2026 federal and California rates. Your actual withholding depends on your W-4 and state forms. How we calculate.
On top of federal taxes, California employers withhold state income tax using the EDD's 2026 withholding schedules. Your wages after a 401(k) are reduced by a standard deduction ($5,706 single, $11,412 married or head of household), taxed on the rate table, then lowered by a $168.30 credit per allowance.
Low earners owe nothing: if your annual wages are $18,896 or less (single) or $37,791 or less (married or head of household), no California income tax is withheld in 2026.
Every worker also pays State Disability Insurance (SDI) at 1.3% in 2026. Since 2024 SDI has no wage cap, so it applies to every dollar you earn. SDI funds disability and Paid Family Leave benefits.
| Rate | Taxable wages |
|---|---|
| 1.1% | $0 – $11,079 |
| 2.2% | $11,079 – $26,264 |
| 4.4% | $26,264 – $41,452 |
| 6.6% | $41,452 – $57,542 |
| 8.8% | $57,542 – $72,724 |
| 10.23% | $72,724 – $371,479 |
| 11.33% | $371,479 – $445,771 |
| 12.43% | $445,771 – $742,953 |
| 13.53% | $742,953 – $1,000,000 |
| 14.63% | Over $1,000,000 |
Withholding rates include a 10% factor the EDD adds on top of the 1% to 13.3% tax rates you pay at filing time. Any extra is returned as a refund.
The EDD's withholding tables multiply the official 1% to 13.3% tax rates by 1.1, so employers withhold a little more than you will finally owe. You get the difference back when you file.
State Disability Insurance pays partial wages if you can't work because of illness, injury, pregnancy or caring for family. The 2026 employee rate is 1.3% of all wages.
Yes. Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce the wages California taxes, though they do not lower SDI.
Sources: California EDD 2026 withholding schedules (Method B) and SDI rate; IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32. Last updated November 4, 2026.