The IRS allows employers to withhold from bonus payments at a flat 22% federal rate. This is called the supplemental wage method or percentage method. It applies to most bonuses, commissions, overtime pay, and back pay paid separately from regular wages.
Key facts about the 22% flat rate:
Here is the net amount after federal withholding (22%) plus FICA, before state taxes:
| Bonus Amount | Federal (22%) | Social Security (6.2%) | Medicare (1.45%) | You Keep (before state) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | −$220 | −$62 | −$15 | $703 |
| $2,500 | −$550 | −$155 | −$36 | $1,759 |
| $5,000 | −$1,100 | −$310 | −$73 | $3,517 |
| $10,000 | −$2,200 | −$620 | −$145 | $7,035 |
| $25,000 | −$5,500 | −$1,550 | −$363 | $17,588 |
| $50,000 | −$11,000 | −$3,100 | −$725 | $35,175 |
Note: These figures assume your cumulative wages for the year have not yet hit the $184,500 Social Security cap. Also, state income tax will reduce the "you keep" amount further. Use the TruePayCalc bonus calculator to include your state.
Employers can use one of two methods to calculate bonus withholding:
The employer withholds 22% federal tax on the bonus payment alone. This is the most common method and results in predictable withholding.
Example: $5,000 bonus × 22% = $1,100 federal withheld. Simple, straightforward.
The employer temporarily adds the bonus to your most recent regular paycheck, calculates withholding on the combined amount as if that were your regular pay rate for the year, then subtracts what was already withheld from regular pay. The difference is withheld from the bonus.
Example: Regular bi-weekly paycheck $3,846 (from $100k salary) + $5,000 bonus = $8,846. Annualized: $229,996. Federal tax at that income level is significantly higher. The aggregate method results in more withholding than the flat 22% method for higher earners.
The aggregate method can result in significantly higher withholding if your combined income pushes into a higher bracket for that pay period. You get it back as a refund if your annual effective rate is lower, but the cash impact is immediate.
Yes. Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) are withheld from bonuses just like regular pay. Important nuance: if you have already exceeded the $184,500 Social Security wage base for the year by the time your bonus is paid, no Social Security tax is withheld on the bonus. Medicare still applies with no cap.
The 22% withholding on a bonus is not your final tax — it is an estimate. If your actual effective federal rate is lower than 22%, you get a refund at filing. There are also strategies to reduce the amount taxed:
Possibly, but not necessarily. The 22% flat rate approximates the marginal tax rate for middle-income earners. If your effective annual rate is below 22% (which is the case for most people with total income under $65,000 as a single filer), you will receive a refund for the excess bonus withholding when you file. If you are in the 32% or 35% bracket, the 22% withholding understates your true rate, and you may owe additional tax at filing.
Bonuses under $1 million are withheld at a flat 22% federal rate in 2026 using the supplemental wage method. Bonuses above $1 million are withheld at 37% on the amount exceeding $1 million. Your employer also withholds Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%). State income tax is withheld separately.
Yes. The 22% flat withholding is just an estimate. If your actual effective federal tax rate for the year is lower than 22%, the excess withholding comes back as a tax refund when you file. This is common for anyone whose total annual income places them in the 10% or 12% bracket.
Under the aggregate method, your employer adds the bonus to your most recent regular paycheck and calculates withholding on the total as if it reflected your full annual income. This can result in higher withholding than the 22% flat rate, especially for higher earners, because the combined amount may hit a higher bracket for that pay period.
Yes. Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%) are withheld from bonuses just like regular wages. The one exception: if your cumulative wages for the year have already reached the 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500 before the bonus is paid, no Social Security tax is withheld from the bonus. Medicare still applies at 1.45% with no cap.
The most effective strategies are maximizing pre-tax retirement contributions (401k up to $24,500 in 2026), contributing to an HSA ($4,400 individual / $8,750 family), and ensuring your W-4 elections are current. You cannot avoid withholding on the bonus itself, but you can reduce overall annual tax liability through deductions and contributions claimed on your return.