Washington, D.C. Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay per paycheck for salary and hourly jobs after federal & Washington, D.C. taxes
Updated for 2024 tax year on Jul 06, 2024
Calculate your paycheck in these states
How to calculate your Washington, D.C. paycheck
Table of Contents
Overview of Washington, D.C.
While not technically a state, we still include Washington, D.C. as one of the states. District of Columbia has a population of over 700 thousand (2019) and is the center of the United States government.
Brief summary:
- the income tax rate ranges from 4% to 10.75%
- no state-level payroll tax
- has standard deductions
Understanding your Washington, D.C. paycheck
In Washington, D.C., your paycheck is shaped by two powerful forces: federal income taxes and FICA taxes. The federal income tax withholding depends on factors like your income, filing status, and exemptions. FICA taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare, are split evenly between employees and employers, with each party contributing 7.65% of the 15.3% total tax.
Form W-4 serves as a Rosetta Stone for your employer, helping them decipher the appropriate amount of federal income tax to withhold from your paycheck. This form considers your filing status, income, and dependents. Be sure to update your W-4 whenever you experience significant life events, like getting married or having a child.
Constructing your financial fortress requires attention to your marital status and available pre-tax deductions. Deductions, such as 401(k) contributions or Health Savings Account (HSA) deposits, are removed from your gross pay before taxes. These deductions can reduce your taxable income, potentially lightening your tax burden.
In the nation’s capital, income tax rates form a progressive ladder. The income tax rate ranges from 4% to 10.75%.
Washington, D.C., provides its standard deductions based on your filing status. Taking advantage of these deductions can lower your taxable income and potentially reduce your overall tax liability. There are no exemptions in the capital.
The final destination on your paycheck journey is the realm of post-tax deductions. After calculating taxes, these deductions are taken from your pay and can include union dues, charitable donations, wage garnishments, or after-tax retirement account contributions. Understanding post-tax deductions allows you to evaluate your take-home pay and make informed financial decisions accurately.
Calculate your Washington, D.C. paycheck
Calculating your District of Columbia income tax is similar to the steps we listed on our main paycheck calculator page:
- Determine your gross income
- Annual salary
Annual salary = Gross income - Hourly wage
Hourly wage × Hours worked per day × Days worked per week × Weeks worked per year = Your weekly paycheck
- Annual salary
- Work out your total federal income tax
- Gross income adjusted
Gross income − Pre-tax deductions = Gross income adjusted - Federal taxable income
Gross income adjusted − Federal standard/itemized deductions = Federal taxable income - Federal income tax liability
Federal taxable income × Federal income tax rate = Federal income tax liability - Federal payroll tax liability
Gross income × Federal payroll tax rate = Federal payroll tax liability
- Gross income adjusted
- Calculate your total Washington, D.C. income tax
- Washington, D.C. taxable income
Gross income adjusted − Washington, D.C. standard/itemized deductions = Washington, D.C. taxable income - Washington, D.C. income tax liability
Washington, D.C. taxable income × Washington, D.C. income tax rate = Washington, D.C. income tax liability
- Washington, D.C. taxable income
- Figure out your net pay
You need to account for any other deductions such as health insurance, 401(k) contribution, as well as additional withholdings.
Gross income − (Total income tax liability + Total payroll tax liability + Total pre-tax deductions + Total post-tax deductions + Total withholdings) = Your net pay - Divide your net pay by your pay frequency
- Daily
Your net pay / Days worked per week / Weeks worked per year = Your daily paycheck - Weekly
Your net pay / 52 = Your weekly paycheck - Bi-weekly
Your net pay / 26 = Your bi-weekly paycheck - Semi-monthly
Your net pay / 24 = Your semi-monthly paycheck - Monthly
Your net pay / 12 = Your monthly paycheck - Quarterly
Your net pay / 4 = Your quarterly paycheck - Semi-annual
Your net pay / 2 = Your semi-annual paycheck - Annual
Your net pay = Your annual paycheck
- Daily
State income tax brackets
Refer to Tax Foundation for more details.
| Tax year | Filing status | Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 2022 |
Single Married, Filing Jointly or Widow(er) Married, Filing Separately Head of Household |
$0 – $10,000 | 4% |
| $10,000 – $40,000 | 6% | ||
| $40,000 – $60,000 | 6.5% | ||
| $60,000 – $250,000 | 8.5% | ||
| $250,000 – $500,000 | 9.25% | ||
| $500,000 – $1,000,000 | 9.75% | ||
| $1,000,000+ | 10.75% | ||
| 2021 2020 |
Single Married, Filing Jointly or Widow(er) Married, Filing Separately Head of Household |
$0 – $10,000 | 4% |
| $10,000 – $40,000 | 6% | ||
| $40,000 – $60,000 | 6.5% | ||
| $60,000 – $350,000 | 8.5% | ||
| $350,000 – $1,000,000 | 8.75% | ||
| $1,000,000+ | 8.95% |
State standard deduction
| Tax year | Filing status | Standard deduction amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Single Married, Filing Separately |
$14,600 |
| Married, Filing Jointly | $29,200 | |
| Head of Household | $21,900 | |
| 2023 | Single Married, Filing Separately |
$13,850 |
| Married, Filing Jointly | $27,700 | |
| Head of Household | $20,800 | |
| 2022 | Single Married, Filing Separately |
$12,950 |
| Married, Filing Jointly | $25,900 | |
| Head of Household | $19,400 | |
| 2021 | Single Married, Filing Separately |
$12,550 |
| Married, Filing Jointly | $25,100 | |
| Head of Household | $18,800 | |
| 2020 | Single Married, Filing Separately |
$12,400 |
| Married, Filing Jointly | $24,800 | |
| Head of Household | $18,650 |
FAQs
How to calculate take home pay in Washington, D.C.?
Follow the steps below to work out your take-home pay:
- Determine your gross income
- Work out your total federal income tax
- Calculate your total Washington, D.C. state income tax
- Gross income minus taxes, deductions and withholdings
- Divide your net pay by your pay frequency
How much will Washington, D.C. tax paychecks in 2024?
Washington, D.C. will tax paychecks based on its progressive income tax system with rates ranging from 4% to 10.75%.
How much is taken out of my paycheck in Washington, D.C.?
Taxes such as federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security and Medicare will be taken out of each paycheck. You may also see deductions for personal contributions like health insurance, retirement savings, and potential local taxes or other withholdings specific to your employer’s policies.
What percentage of my paycheck goes to taxes in Washington, D.C.?
Typically, 20% to 35% of your paycheck in Washington, D.C. will go towards taxes. The taxes on your paycheck include
- federal income tax (10% to 37%)
- state income tax (4% to 10.75%)
- Social Security (6.2%)
- Medicare (1.45% to 2.35%)