California Income Tax Rates (2026)
The quick answer: a graduated tax from 1% to 13.3%
California uses a graduated (bracket-based) income tax, meaning your rate increases as your taxable income crosses each threshold below. Only the income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket’s rate — moving into a higher bracket doesn’t raise the rate on income you already earned in a lower one.
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $11,078 | 1% |
| $11,079 – $26,263 | 2% |
| $26,264 – $41,451 | 4% |
| $41,452 – $57,541 | 6% |
| $57,542 – $72,723 | 8% |
| $72,724 – $371,478 | 9.3% |
| $371,479 – $445,770 | 10.3% |
| $445,771 – $742,952 | 11.3% |
| $742,953 – $999,999 | 12.3% |
| $1,000,000+ | 13.3% |
What this means for your paycheck
On a $75,000 single-filer salary, California’s income tax works out to about $3,414 in state income tax for the year, leaving roughly $58,179 in take-home pay after federal tax, state tax, and FICA — an effective total tax rate of about 22.4%. Enter your own salary and filing status below for your exact numbers.
Does California have a state income tax?
What is California's income tax rate?
It ranges from 1% at the lowest bracket to 13.3% at the highest — see the bracket table above for the exact income thresholds.
Does California tax retirement account withdrawals the same as wages?
Generally yes — 401(k), IRA, and pension withdrawals are typically taxed at California’s regular income tax rate, based on which bracket your total taxable income falls into, the same as wage income. Some states carve out specific exemptions for retirement income; check California’s Department of Revenue for any such exemption.
How much is state tax on a $75,000 salary in California?
About $3,414 a year for a single filer with no other adjustments, based on California’s bracket structure. Use the calculator above for your own salary and filing status.
Where can I verify current California tax rates?
The Tax Foundation publishes current state-by-state income tax data annually. Rates and brackets change from year to year via state legislation, so confirm the current figures before relying on any specific number, including the ones on this page.
How California compares
Graduated income tax systems, like California’s, are the most common structure among states that tax income at all — the idea is that higher earners pay a larger share of their income in tax as they cross each threshold. California’s top rate of 13.3% only applies to income above the highest bracket threshold, not your entire income.
This article is for educational purposes only and isn't legal, financial, or tax advice. See our Disclaimer for details.
