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When your employer provides you with a bonus, they will report it on your W-2 in box 1—but it's combined with your normal wages or salary. In the eyes of the Internal Revenue Service, your bonus is no different than the salary you receive.
The federal bonus tax withholding rate is typically 22%. However, employers could instead combine a bonus with your regular wages as though it's one of your usual paychecks—with your usual tax amount withheld.
In California, bonuses are taxed differently from regular income. They are considered supplemental income and are subject to both federal and state taxes. California uses a flat rate for state tax on bonuses, distinct from regular income tax rates.
The percentage method The withholding rate for supplemental wages is 22 percent. That rate will be applied to any supplemental wages like bonuses up to $1 million during the tax year. If your bonus totals more than $1 million, the withholding rate for any amount above $1 million increases to 37 percent.
Bonuses are typically considered supplemental income and that is taxed at a different rate. The federal bonus flat tax rate is 22%. In California, bonuses are taxed currently at a rate of 10.23%. For example, if you earned a bonus for $5,000, you would owe $511.50 in taxes on that bonus to the state of California.
Example: Annual Income of $100,000 CategoryAmount State Income Tax $6,601 Social Security Tax $6,200 Medicare Tax $1,450 Net Income $67,5752 more rows
California Labor Laws and Bonuses All earned bonuses are treated as wages under California Labor Code Section 200. These bonuses are “earned” as part of an employment contract, work performance policy, obligation, or an understanding between the employer and employees.
In contrast, California still allows deductions for entertainment expenses, but with caveats. The expenses must meet either the "Directly-Related Test" or the "Associated Test," plus they're subject to a 50% limitation. Beyond these conditions, it's imperative to keep detailed documentation to substantiate your claim.
California: Bonuses are taxed at a supplemental flat rate of 10.23% for standard supplemental income and a higher rate of 13.3% for stock options and bonuses above $1 million. New York: The state taxes bonuses as part of total annual income, with rates ranging from 4% to 10.9%, depending on the income bracket.