South Carolina Take-Home Pay Calculator 2026
Quick Answer: In 2026, South Carolina has a progressive income tax from 1.99% to 5.21%. On a gross annual salary of $75,000, a single W-2 filer takes home approximately $59,433, while married joint filers take home about $62,463. Use the paycheck calculator below to estimate your exact net earnings.
What is the state tax in South Carolina?
South Carolina levies a progressive income tax from 1.99% to 5.21% on W-2 wages. Standard deduction shields a portion from tax.
What do you keep on a $75,000 salary?
Single W-2 filers retain about 79.2% of their gross paycheck, leaving $59,433 net.
How does FICA payroll tax apply?
A flat 6.2% is deducted for Social Security (up to $184,500) and 1.45% is deducted for Medicare.
Are OBBBA tax shelters applicable?
Yes. The federal overtime tax deduction helps W-2 earners shield their half-time overtime premiums from income tax.
How Does South Carolina Tax Your Paycheck in 2026?
Your net take-home pay depends on federal income tax brackets, FICA payroll taxes, and state income tax codes. South Carolina has a progressive income tax from 1.99% to 5.21% on personal wages. Standard deductions for 2026 are set at $15 000 for single W-2 filers and $15 000 for married joint filers, which reduce taxable income before tax brackets apply.
Federally, tax brackets are progressive, ranging from 10% to 37% (Rev. Proc. 2025-32). FICA taxes are also flat, with 6.2% Social Security (up to $184,500) and 1.45% Medicare.
What Are the South Carolina Progressive Tax Brackets?
| Bracket Rate | Single Taxable Range |
|---|---|
| 1.99% | $0 to $30,000 |
| 5.21% | Over $30,000 |
What Do You Keep: Paycheck Breakdown in South Carolina?
The table below outlines how much you keep at different gross annual salaries. These calculations assume a single W-2 filer with a standard deduction and no pre-tax retirement or health insurance contributions:
| Gross Salary | Federal Tax | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home Pay | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $858 | $3,825 | $41,498 | 17.0% |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $2,160 | $5,738 | $59,433 | 20.8% |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $3,463 | $7,650 | $75,718 | 24.3% |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $6,068 | $11,475 | $107,724 | 28.2% |
- Federal tax$13,17013%
- South Carolina tax$3,4633%
- FICA$7,6508%
- Take-home$75,71876%
- Gross$100,000
What South Carolina-specific taxes affect your paycheck?
South Carolina levies a state income tax administered by the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) through its MyDORWAY portal. Under H. 4216, signed March 30, 2026 and effective for the 2026 tax year, the state moved to a simplified two-rate structure: 1.99% on taxable income below $30,000 and 5.21% on income of $30,000 and above (with a fixed offset built into the tables). The law also replaces the former federal standard deduction with a new South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction. South Carolina has no county, city, or local income taxes, so your only income-tax withholding is federal plus the single state rate.
Withholding, unemployment, and wage facts
- Employees provide withholding details on the federal Form W-4; employers report state withholding to SCDOR using forms such as WH-1605 (quarterly) and WH-1606 (annual reconciliation).
- Unemployment insurance (SUI/SUTA) is administered by the SC Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW) on the first $14,000 of wages and is paid by employers, not deducted from your check.
- South Carolina has no state disability insurance and no state paid-family-leave payroll deduction, so those lines are zero on a South Carolina paycheck.
- The state has no minimum-wage law and follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour ($2.13 tipped), and there is no state reciprocity agreement with neighboring states.
For context, South Carolina's median household income is roughly $69,300 (U.S. Census QuickFacts, 2020-2024 in 2024 dollars), placing typical earners in the upper state rate.
How Do You Calculate Your South Carolina Paycheck Step-by-Step?
Want to calculate your paycheck manually? Follow this ordered step-by-step list:
- Determine your gross annual wages (or wages per pay period).
- Subtract pre-tax deductions like traditional 401(k) contributions (up to $23,500) and health premiums.
- Subtract your federal standard deduction ($16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married joint filers) to find your federal taxable income.
- Apply progressive 2026 federal income tax brackets to calculate your federal tax.
- Subtract your state standard deduction (if any) to find state taxable income, and apply the flat rate or progressive brackets of South Carolina.
- Compute FICA payroll taxes: 6.2% for Social Security on wages up to $184,500, and 1.45% for Medicare.
- Subtract all calculated taxes and FICA from your gross pay to find your net take-home salary.
How Does the 2026 Federal Deduction Affect Overtime in South Carolina?
Under the federal OBBBA overtime tax deduction (valid for tax years 2025 through 2028), the 0.5x premium portion of your time-and-a-half overtime rate is exempt from federal income tax. This deduction is capped at $12,500 for single W-2 filers and $25,000 for married couples filing jointly. You still owe FICA and state income taxes on this premium portion. To calculate your overtime premium tax savings, visit our dedicated No Tax on Overtime Calculator.
How Does South Carolina Compare to Neighboring States?
Comparing income taxes across neighboring states helps evaluate job offers and geographical cost advantages: