{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Dataset",
  "name": "How is a bonus taxed, and how much do you actually keep?",
  "description": "Most employers withhold a flat 22% federal tax on bonuses (the supplemental rate), plus FICA and state tax. On a $5,000 bonus, expect to keep about $3,300–$3,600 depending on your state — the 22% is withholding, not your final tax rate.",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/answers/how-to-calculate-take-home-pay-with-bonus",
  "dateModified": "2026-10-01",
  "creator": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "RevenueLab",
    "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi"
  },
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "keywords": [
    "Take-Home Pay Calculator",
    "Paycheck Estimator",
    "NYC Paycheck Calculator"
  ],
  "distribution": {
    "@type": "DataDownload",
    "contentUrl": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/page.json?path=answers%2Fhow-to-calculate-take-home-pay-with-bonus",
    "encodingFormat": "application/json"
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  "json": {
    "type": "answer",
    "question": "How is a bonus taxed, and how much do you actually keep?",
    "shortAnswer": "Most employers withhold a flat 22% federal tax on bonuses (the supplemental rate), plus FICA and state tax. On a $5,000 bonus, expect to keep about $3,300–$3,600 depending on your state — the 22% is withholding, not your final tax rate.",
    "tableTitle": "Where a $5,000 bonus goes (no state tax, 2025)",
    "columns": [
      "Deduction",
      "Amount",
      "Note"
    ],
    "rows": [
      {
        "label": "Federal supplemental withholding",
        "value": "−$1,100",
        "note": "Flat 22%"
      },
      {
        "label": "Social Security (6.2%)",
        "value": "−$310",
        "note": "If under wage base"
      },
      {
        "label": "Medicare (1.45%)",
        "value": "−$72.50",
        "note": "Uncapped"
      },
      {
        "label": "Net bonus",
        "value": "$3,517.50",
        "note": "≈ 70% of gross"
      }
    ],
    "context": "If your actual marginal bracket is 12%, the 22% withholding over-collects and you get the difference back at tax time; if you're in the 24%+ brackets, you may owe a little more. Bonuses over $1 million are withheld at 37%. Some employers instead lump the bonus into a regular check (aggregate method), which can withhold even more. Either way, the bonus is ordinary income on your W-2 — the 'bonus tax rate' is just a withholding convention.",
    "methodology": "IRS supplemental wage rules: flat 22% federal withholding for supplemental wages under $1 million when paid separately; FICA applies normally. State supplemental rates vary (0% in no-tax states, ~10.2% in California).",
    "dateModified": "2026-10-01",
    "relatedCalculators": [
      {
        "label": "Take-Home Pay Calculator",
        "to": "/paycheck-take-home-calculator"
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      {
        "label": "Paycheck Estimator",
        "to": "/paycheck-estimator"
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      {
        "label": "NYC Paycheck Calculator",
        "to": "/nyc-paycheck-calculator"
      }
    ],
    "relatedReading": [
      {
        "label": "What percentage of a paycheck goes to taxes?",
        "to": "/answers/what-percentage-of-paycheck-goes-to-taxes"
      }
    ]
  }
}