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My bonus after taxes — 2026
Federal 22% supplemental withholding, Social Security up to $184,500, Medicare, your state and 401(k)
Name: [YOUR NAME]
City and state: [CITY, STATE]
Prepared on: [DATE]
1. Your numbers
What Your number
Bonus (gross) $ [AMOUNT]
Wages already paid to you this year, before the bonus $ [AMOUNT]
Percent of the bonus going to your 401(k) [PERCENT]%
Your state's withholding rate on bonuses, % [PERCENT]%
2. From bonus to take-home
Step Result
401(k) from the bonus [RESULT]
Federal income tax withheld: 22% (flat rate for supplemental wages) [RESULT]
Social Security 6.2% (only on wages up to $184,500 for 2026) [RESULT]
Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 [RESULT]
State income tax withheld [RESULT]
Bonus in your bank account [RESULT]
Share of the bonus you take home (cash) [RESULT]
The rules (checked October 21, 2026) • Federal: a flat 22% on bonuses paid separately (37% above $1 million of supplemental wages). • Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500 of wages in 2026; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% over $200,000. • State withholding is your input — every state has its own rule. • Withholding is a prepayment: the bonus is taxed with your other income on your 2026 return. Check at the start of the year.
3. When the bonus lands
Done Check
☐ Ask payroll: separate check (flat 22%) or added to a paycheck (aggregate)?
☐ Check whether your 401(k) takes deferrals from bonuses — and if you hit the yearly limit
☐ If you are near $184,500 of wages, Social Security should stop on your stub
☐ Plan the take-home first: sinking funds, debt, holiday gifts
☐ A big bonus? Run the tax refund estimator — 22% may be more or less than your bracket
An estimate, not tax advice. IRS Publication 15 (2026), Illinois Department of Revenue and California EDD, checked October 21, 2026. Check at the start of the year.