2026 tax year · take-home pay
South Carolina Paycheck Calculator (2026)
South Carolina restructured its income tax for 2026 under H.4216, replacing the old six-bracket system with just two rates: 1.99% on the first $30,000 of taxable income and 5.21% on everything above that. The top rate was previously 6%, so many South Carolina earners will see a lower tax bill. A new $15,000 deduction for single filers (the South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction, reduced at higher incomes) applies before either rate kicks in.
Your paycheck breakdown
Estimated take-home pay
$1,631.16
per paycheck · $42,410.16/yr · 18.4% withheld
- Gross pay
- $2,000.00
- − Federal income tax
- $156.15
- − Social Security
- $124.00
- − Medicare
- $29.00
- − SC state income tax
- $59.69
- Net take-home
- $1,631.16
Estimate for tax year 2026. Withholding depends on your W-4 and employer; your actual paycheck may differ. Not tax advice.
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How South Carolina withholding works
South Carolina's two-rate structure under H.4216
H.4216 collapsed South Carolina's six progressive brackets into two clean rates for 2026: 1.99% on the first $30,000 of taxable income and 5.21% on income above that. The $15,000 South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction (single) reduces taxable income before either rate applies, so many single workers with moderate wages stay in the 1.99% bracket entirely.
How the new rates compare to prior law
Under the old system, South Carolina's top rate was 6.00%. The new 5.21% ceiling reduces the top rate meaningfully, and the wide 1.99% bracket on the first $30,000 of taxable income represents a significant cut for middle earners as well. Employers still withhold with the state's existing 2026 withholding formula until SCDOR updates it, so most of the savings show up when you file.
Rates & brackets
South Carolina's 2026 income tax rates
South Carolina taxes income in graduated brackets. Only the income inside each band is taxed at that band's rate. Here is the 2026 schedule for a single filer:
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | 1.99% |
| $30,000 and up | 5.21% |
H.4216 deduction on the 2026 return (reduced at higher incomes): $15,000 (single), $30,000 (married filing jointly).
How the calculator withholds: Employers still withhold South Carolina tax with the state's 2026 withholding formula (WH-1603F), which predates H.4216: $5,000 per allowance, a standard deduction of 10% of wages up to $7,500, and 3% / 6% bands. The calculator follows that formula (two allowances single, three married), so it shows what comes out of your paycheck; the lower H.4216 rates above are settled when you file your 2026 return.
Source: SCDOR WH-1603F, Formula for Computing South Carolina 2026 Withholding Tax (Rev. 11/4/25), checked against the state's withholding formula . See our methodology for full sources.
Worked examples
Estimated take-home at common salaries in South Carolina
Rough figures for a single filer over a full tax year, with no pre-tax deductions, a starting point before you run your own numbers above.
| Gross | Federal income tax | FICA | SC state tax | Take-home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $904 | $33,416 |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $1,984 | $48,406 |
| $85,000 | $9,870 | $6,503 | $3,394 | $65,234 |
| $120,000 | $17,570 | $9,180 | $5,494 | $87,756 |
Estimates for the 2026 tax year, single filer, computed from published federal and South Carolina tax tables. Rounded to the nearest dollar. Your actual pay depends on your W-4, pre-tax deductions, and employer payroll. Not tax advice.
Common questions
South Carolina Paycheck Calculator: common questions
- What is South Carolina's income tax rate for 2026?
- Under H.4216, South Carolina uses two rates for 2026: 1.99% on the first $30,000 of taxable income and 5.21% above that, with a $15,000 South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction (single). The old top rate was 6%.
- What lines hit a South Carolina paycheck?
- FICA takes Social Security at 6.2% and Medicare at 1.45%; on top of that come federal income tax and South Carolina income tax at 1.99% (up to $30k taxable) and 5.21% above that on your return, after the new $15,000 single deduction. Paycheck withholding still follows the state's older 2026 formula.
- Does South Carolina have local income taxes?
- No. South Carolina municipalities do not levy a local income or wage tax. State and federal are the only income-tax lines.
Other state calculators
Estimates for tax year 2026, based on published federal and state tax tables. Not tax advice. Page last updated .