South Carolina Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your South Carolina take-home pay after federal withholding and FICA. Nothing leaves your browser.
Showing a $60,000/year, single-filer example for South Carolina: $48,727.32 take-home pay after taxes. Enter your own numbers above for your result.
| Gross pay | $60,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | -$5,020.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$3,720.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$870.00 |
| South Carolina state income tax | -$1,662.68 |
| Net take-home pay | $48,727.32 |
Estimate only, not tax advice — see the full disclaimer. Tax data last verified: 2026-08-08.
How South Carolina paycheck taxes work
South Carolina just overhauled its income tax for 2026 (H.4216, signed March 2026), replacing its old multi-bracket system with just two rates: 1.99% below $30,000 and 5.21% above it. In place of a flat standard deduction, South Carolina now uses an income-adjusted deduction that's largest at low incomes and phases out completely as income rises, so higher earners see a smaller deduction (and a bit more taxable income) than lower earners with the same filing status.
Federal income tax is calculated using the 2026 IRS tax brackets after subtracting your standard deduction, based on your filing status. FICA is a flat 6.2% Social Security tax (up to the annual wage base) plus 1.45% Medicare tax, with an additional 0.9% Medicare tax on income above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
Tax data last verified: 2026-08-08.
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Frequently asked questions
Does South Carolina have a state income tax?
Yes. South Carolina taxes wage income at 2 brackets ranging from 1.99% to 5.21%. See the state-specific section above for exactly how that applies to your filing status.
How is federal income tax calculated on a South Carolina paycheck?
Federal tax is calculated on taxable income (gross pay minus your standard deduction) using the 2026 IRS marginal tax brackets, which apply the same way in every state, including South Carolina. See "How Paycheck Withholding Works" for the full breakdown.
What is FICA and how much is withheld?
FICA is 6.2% Social Security (up to the annual wage base) plus 1.45% Medicare, with an additional 0.9% Medicare tax above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). It applies the same way in every state, including South Carolina.
Is this calculator exact?
No, it's an estimate based on standard 2026 tax tables and common assumptions. It doesn't account for every possible deduction, credit, filing situation, or local tax. For South Carolina specifically, it applies the state's brand-new 2026 income-adjusted deduction exactly as phased in by H.4216, so this estimate should track closely with what South Carolina employers actually withhold this year. See the disclaimer above the breakdown for details.