Finance Calc App

US Bonus take-home calculator

See how much of a bonus you keep after tax. Employers often withhold a flat 22% supplemental federal rate plus FICA, but your true cost is your marginal rate — this shows the real take-home.

By Mitch Duncan Last reviewed Methodology

Your bonus

Tax year: 2025 · Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2024-40

Bonus take-home
$7,382.50
Tax on the bonus
$2,617.50
Breakdown
Gross bonus
$10,000.00
Tax & contributions on bonus
−$2,617.50
You keep
$7,382.50
Effective tax rate on bonus
26.2%
Marginal rate (incl. on bonus)
22.0%
Why your payslip may differ

US employers usually withhold federal tax on a bonus at the flat 22% supplemental rate (37% above $1M), plus Social Security and Medicare. That's withholding, not your final tax — if your marginal rate differs, you'll reconcile it on your return. The figure above is the true after-tax value at your marginal rate.

A bonus is taxed at your marginal rate — the rate on your top slice of income — so a higher proportion is taken than on your average salary. This estimate uses current brackets and ignores benefits, salary-sacrifice, or pension routing of the bonus, which can reduce the tax.

Want the full picture? Overtime and Bonus Pay Explained →

How a bonus is taxed in the US

Bonuses are supplemental wages. Most employers withhold federal income tax on them at a flat 22% (rising to 37% on the portion of supplemental pay above $1 million), rather than at your regular bracket. On top of that come Social Security (6.2% up to the wage base) and Medicare (1.45%, plus a 0.9% surtax on high earners).

Bonus kept = net(salary + bonus) − net(salary)

22% withholding is not your final tax

The flat 22% is just withholding. Your actual federal tax on the bonus is determined by your marginal bracket when you file. If your marginal rate is above 22% you'll owe more; if below, you'll get some back as a refund. The take-home figure in the calculator reflects your true marginal rate, not the 22% withheld on the payslip.

Reduce the tax with pre-tax contributions

Directing a bonus into a traditional 401(k) or HSA (if you have room) lowers the taxable amount dollar-for-dollar at your marginal rate. Some employers let you set a separate bonus deferral percentage.

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Frequently asked questions

How is tax on a bonus calculated?
A bonus is taxed at your marginal rate — the rate on your top slice of income — because it stacks on top of your salary. The cleanest way to find what you keep is to compare your take-home pay with the bonus against your take-home without it; the difference is the bonus net of tax. The calculator above does exactly that using current tax brackets.
Why does it feel like my bonus is taxed more than my salary?
Because it's taxed at your marginal rate, not your average rate. Your salary benefits from lower bands and any tax-free allowance first; the bonus sits entirely on top, in your highest band, so a bigger share is taken. It isn't taxed under a special 'bonus tax' — it's just that the whole bonus falls in your top bracket.
Why is the tax on my payslip different from what I actually owe?
Payroll systems often use a special method to withhold tax on one-off payments — a flat supplemental rate, or treating the bonus as if you earned it every pay period. That can take too much or too little in that single cheque. It reconciles when you file your tax return or over the course of the tax year, so the payslip figure isn't your final tax.
Can I reduce the tax on my bonus?
Often yes. Routing some or all of a bonus into a tax-advantaged pension or retirement account can avoid income tax (and sometimes social contributions) on that portion. Timing a bonus into a lower-income year, or using tax-sheltered accounts for what you keep, can also help. The right option depends on your country's rules.
Is take-home from a bonus the same as from regular pay?
No — proportionally you keep less of a bonus than of your base salary, because the bonus is taxed entirely at your marginal rate while your salary is taxed progressively through the lower bands first. That's why the effective rate shown on the bonus is higher than your overall effective tax rate.
Does a bonus push me into a higher tax bracket?
It can push part of your income into a higher band, but only the portion above the threshold is taxed at the higher rate — the rest of your income is unaffected. A bonus never reduces your overall take-home; you always keep some of it. In some systems, though, a bonus can trigger allowance withdrawal or extra repayments, which the calculator's regional notes flag.

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