Bonus Tax Calculator
See exactly how much of your bonus you'll actually take home in 2026 with this free bonus tax calculator. Pick the percentage method (the flat 22% federal supplemental withholding used by most US employers) or the aggregate method (bonus combined with regular pay) to compare. We factor in the full 7.65% FICA (Social Security and Medicare), the 0.9% additional Medicare surtax on high earners, the 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500, and your state's supplemental rate. The result: your true after-tax bonus, in seconds.
Percentage vs Aggregate Method — Which Is Better?
The percentage method is simpler and used by ~80% of US employers: they slice off a flat 22% for federal tax, add FICA, and call it done. The aggregate method pretends your bonus is normal pay, which can push you into a higher withholding bracket for that check — often resulting in MORE tax withheld up-front, especially if you're in the 12% marginal bracket. Neither method changes your true tax bill; they only change when the government holds the money. If you're consistently getting big refunds because of bonus over-withholding, ask HR to switch methods or adjust your W-4.
Reduce Bonus Tax Legally
The most effective way to keep more of your bonus is to route part of it into pre-tax accounts before it's paid out: 401(k) ($23,500 limit in 2026), HSA ($4,400 self / $8,750 family), or FSA. Every dollar diverted skips both federal tax and FICA — that's an instant ~30% return. Some employers also let you defer bonuses into a non-qualified deferred comp plan, useful if you expect to retire into a lower bracket.