Washington Income Tax Calculator (State & Federal)

How the Washington income tax calculator works

Washington is one of the few U.S. states without a broad state income tax on wages. That means most Washington workers only pay:

• Federal income tax (based on IRS tax brackets and your filing status)
• FICA payroll taxes:
  • Social Security tax: 6.2% on wages up to the annual wage base
  • Medicare tax: 1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% additional Medicare tax above certain thresholds

This calculator combines those pieces to show your total tax burden and estimated take‑home pay as a Washington resident.

Step‑by‑step calculation

1. Convert your income to annual gross pay
   • If you choose Annual salary, we use that number directly.
   • If you choose Hourly, we compute:
     Annual gross pay = Hourly rate × Hours per week × Weeks per year
2. Subtract pre‑tax deductions (401(k), HSA, other pre‑tax plans) to get your federal taxable wages before the standard deduction.
3. Apply the standard deduction for your filing status and tax year to get your taxable income for federal income tax.
4. Apply federal tax brackets to that taxable income to compute your federal income tax.
5. Compute FICA taxes on your pre‑tax wage base:
   • Social Security tax = 6.2% × wages up to the Social Security wage base
   • Medicare tax = 1.45% × all wages
   • Additional Medicare tax = 0.9% × wages above the threshold for your filing status
6. State income tax is set to $0 for wage income, because Washington does not tax regular wages at the state level.
7. Net (take‑home) pay is then:
   Net pay = Gross income − Federal income tax − FICA taxes − State income tax − Post‑tax deductions

Key Washington tax facts for wage earners

• No state income tax on wages: Your paycheck is not reduced by a Washington state income tax.
• Other Washington taxes still apply: Sales tax, property tax, and certain business and capital gains taxes can affect your overall cost of living, but they are not part of this wage income calculator.
• Federal rules still apply: Living in Washington does not change your federal tax brackets, FICA rates, or eligibility for federal credits and deductions.

Effective vs. marginal tax rate

This calculator shows both your effective and marginal federal tax rates:

• Effective tax rate = Total federal tax (income + FICA) ÷ gross income.
• Marginal tax rate = The rate applied to your last dollar of taxable income (e.g., 22% bracket).

Frequently asked questions about Washington income tax

Does Washington have a state income tax?

No. Washington does not tax regular wage or salary income at the state level. Most residents only pay federal income tax and federal payroll taxes on their earnings. Washington does, however, have:

• State and local sales taxes
• Property taxes at the local level
• Certain business and excise taxes
• A limited capital gains tax that may apply to some high‑income investors

What taxes are included in this calculator?

The tool includes:

• Federal income tax (using current IRS brackets and the standard deduction)
• Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes (FICA)
• Additional Medicare tax for high earners
• Washington state income tax on wages (shown as $0 for most users)

It does not include sales tax, property tax, capital gains tax, or business taxes.

Can I model 401(k), HSA, and other pre‑tax contributions?

Yes. Enter your annual pre‑tax contributions in the 401(k), HSA, and other pre‑tax fields. These amounts reduce your federal taxable income and FICA base (subject to IRS rules), which lowers your tax bill and increases your net pay.

Is this calculator suitable for self‑employed Washington residents?

It can give a rough ballpark if you enter your net self‑employment income as salary, but it does not compute self‑employment tax, business deductions, or qualified business income (QBI) deductions. For freelancers and business owners, use a dedicated self‑employment tax calculator or speak with a tax professional.

Do I still owe federal tax if I move to Washington?

Yes. Moving to Washington eliminates state income tax on wages, but you still owe federal income tax and FICA on your earnings. Your federal tax liability depends on your income, filing status, deductions, and credits.