Max $24,500/year
Per paycheck
Virginia Payroll Calculator β 2026 VA Wage Guide
This Virginia payroll calculator gives you an estimated take-home pay. It uses 2026 tax rates. Virginia uses a progressive system with a low top-bracket threshold. Income over just $17,000 is taxed at the top 5.75% rate, so most full-time workers reach the highest bracket.
π‘ Virginia charges progressive rates from 2% to 5.75% on wage income. Virginia has no separate local income tax on wages. Your paycheck deductions are federal tax, Virginia state tax, and FICA taxes only β even in the DC metro area.
Understanding Your Taxable Wages in Virginia
Your taxable wages are the portion of your paycheck subject to tax. This is usually your gross pay minus certain pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions or health insurance premiums. Federal taxable wages and Virginia state taxable wages can differ slightly depending on which deductions the state allows.
For most workers, taxable wages are close to gross pay minus any pre-tax benefits you elect. Our calculator applies the correct taxable wage base automatically based on your entries.
Local Income Taxes in Virginia
Virginia has no separate local income tax on wages. Your paycheck deductions are federal tax, Virginia state tax, and FICA taxes only β even in the DC metro area.
Form W-4 and Withholding in Virginia
When you start a new job, you complete a federal Form W-4. This form tells your employer how much federal tax to withhold taxes from each paycheck. Your filing status, dependents, and any additional withholding you request all affect this calculation.
Filling out your Form W-4 correctly matters. If you withhold too little, you may owe money at tax time. If you withhold too much, you get a bigger refund but less money in each paycheck throughout the year. Our calculator shows you the standard withholding amount based on current 2026 tax brackets.
Payroll Taxes: What Comes Out of Every Virginia Paycheck
Every Virginia paycheck has several types of payroll taxes withheld. Understanding each one helps you read your pay stub with confidence.
- Federal income tax: Based on 2026 IRS tax brackets, from 10% to 37%
- Virginia state tax: progressive rates from 2% to 5.75%
- FICA taxes: Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%)
FICA taxes fund Social Security and Medicare programs nationwide. Every worker pays these regardless of state. Your employer also pays a matching amount on your behalf, though this employer portion doesn't come out of your paycheck.
State Unemployment Tax β Does It Affect Your Paycheck?
State unemployment tax in Virginia is primarily paid by employers, not employees. This tax funds unemployment benefits for workers who lose their jobs. It typically does not appear as a deduction on your pay stub, since the employer covers the full cost in most states including Virginia.
Gross Pay vs Net Pay: What's the Difference?
Your gross pay is your full salary before any deductions. Your net pay β also called take-home pay β is what actually lands in your bank account after federal tax, Virginia state tax, and FICA taxes are withheld.
Use the calculator above to see your estimated net pay. Enter your salary, select your pay frequency, and instantly see the full breakdown between gross pay and take-home pay.
Frequently Asked Questions β Virginia Payroll Calculator
Calculation note: This tool provides an estimated annual state income-tax amount based on the inputs available above. It does not model every deduction or credit. Local income taxes are not included where applicable (for example, Ohio municipal/school-district taxes and New York City/Yonkers taxes).
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