2026 tax year
Bonus after tax
Employers withhold a flat 22% in federal income tax on supplemental wages, regardless of your bracket. That is why a bonus cheque looks smaller than expected — and why some of it usually comes back at filing.
Federal withholding by bonus amount
- $500−$110withheld
- $750−$165withheld
- $1,000−$220withheld
- $1,250−$275withheld
- $1,500−$330withheld
- $1,750−$385withheld
- $2,000−$440withheld
- $2,500−$550withheld
- $3,000−$660withheld
- $3,500−$770withheld
- $4,000−$880withheld
- $4,500−$990withheld
- $5,000−$1,100withheld
- $6,000−$1,320withheld
- $7,500−$1,650withheld
- $8,000−$1,760withheld
- $9,000−$1,980withheld
- $10,000−$2,200withheld
- $11,000−$2,420withheld
- $12,500−$2,750withheld
- $15,000−$3,300withheld
- $17,500−$3,850withheld
- $20,000−$4,400withheld
- $25,000−$5,500withheld
- $30,000−$6,600withheld
- $35,000−$7,700withheld
- $40,000−$8,800withheld
- $45,000−$9,900withheld
- $50,000−$11,000withheld
- $60,000−$13,200withheld
Common questions
How is a bonus taxed?
As ordinary income on your return, but usually withheld differently. Employers commonly apply a flat supplemental withholding rate to a bonus rather than your normal payroll rate, which is why the deduction can look far larger than the one on a regular paycheck.
Why was so much withheld from my bonus?
Because supplemental withholding is a flat rate applied to the payment, not a calculation against your personal circumstances. It is withholding, not final tax: if too much came out, the difference comes back when you file.