How bonus tax really works
A bonus is ordinary wage income. The final tax depends on your full-year income, filing status, deductions, and state tax rules.
Withholding can feel higher than regular pay, but over-withholding may come back as a refund when you file.
Supplemental wage withholding
Employers may withhold tax on bonuses using supplemental wage rules, which can make the bonus paycheck look more heavily taxed than a regular check.
The calculator estimates the annual tax impact by comparing salary alone against salary plus bonus. Actual payroll withholding can differ, but the final tax return reconciles the year.