Washington, D.C. Paycheck Calculator

Calculate your take-home pay per paycheck for salary and hourly jobs after federal & Washington, D.C. taxes

Updated for 2025 tax year on Feb 14, 2025

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How to calculate your Washington, D.C. paycheck

Overview of Washington, D.C.

While not technically a state, we still include Washington, D.C. as one of the states. District of Columbia has a population of over 700 thousand (2019) and is the center of the United States government.

Brief summary:

• the income tax rate ranges from 4% to 10.75%
• no state-level payroll tax
• has standard deductions

Understanding your Washington, D.C. paycheck

In Washington, D.C., your paycheck is shaped by two powerful forces: federal income taxes and FICA taxes. The federal income tax withholding depends on factors like your income, filing status, and exemptions. FICA taxes, which fund Social Security and Medicare, are split evenly between employees and employers, with each party contributing 7.65% of the 15.3% total tax.

Form W-4 serves as a Rosetta Stone for your employer, helping them decipher the appropriate amount of federal income tax to withhold from your paycheck. This form considers your filing status, income, and dependents. Be sure to update your W-4 whenever you experience significant life events, like getting married or having a child.

Constructing your financial fortress requires attention to your marital status and available pre-tax deductions. Deductions, such as 401(k) contributions or Health Savings Account (HSA) deposits, are removed from your gross pay before taxes. These deductions can reduce your taxable income, potentially lightening your tax burden.

In the nation’s capital, income tax rates form a progressive ladder. The income tax rate ranges from 4% to 10.75%.

Washington, D.C., provides its standard deductions based on your filing status. Taking advantage of these deductions can lower your taxable income and potentially reduce your overall tax liability. There are no exemptions in the capital.

The final destination on your paycheck journey is the realm of post-tax deductions. After calculating taxes, these deductions are taken from your pay and can include union dues, charitable donations, wage garnishments, or after-tax retirement account contributions. Understanding post-tax deductions allows you to evaluate your take-home pay and make informed financial decisions accurately.

Calculate your Washington, D.C. paycheck

Calculating your District of Columbia income tax is similar to the steps we listed on our main paycheck calculator page:

1. Determine your gross income
   • Annual salary
     Annual salary = Gross income
   • Hourly wage
     Hourly wage × Hours worked per day × Days worked per week × Weeks worked per year = Your weekly paycheck
2. Work out your total federal income tax
   1. Gross income adjusted
      Gross income − Pre-tax deductions = Gross income adjusted
   2. Federal taxable income
      Gross income adjusted − Federal standard/itemized deductions = Federal taxable income
   3. Federal income tax liability
      Federal taxable income × Federal income tax rate = Federal income tax liability
   4. Federal payroll tax liability
      Gross income × Federal payroll tax rate = Federal payroll tax liability
3. Calculate your total Washington, D.C. income tax
   1. Washington, D.C. taxable income
      Gross income adjusted − Washington, D.C. standard/itemized deductions = Washington, D.C. taxable income
   2. Washington, D.C. income tax liability
      Washington, D.C. taxable income × Washington, D.C. income tax rate = Washington, D.C. income tax liability
4. Figure out your net pay
   You need to account for any other deductions such as health insurance, 401(k) contribution, as well as additional withholdings.
   Gross income − (Total income tax liability + Total payroll tax liability + Total pre-tax deductions + Total post-tax deductions + Total withholdings) = Your net pay
5. Divide your net pay by your pay frequency
   
   • Daily
     Your net pay / Days worked per week / Weeks worked per year = Your daily paycheck
   • Weekly
     Your net pay / 52 = Your weekly paycheck
   • Bi-weekly
     Your net pay / 26 = Your bi-weekly paycheck
   • Semi-monthly
     Your net pay / 24 = Your semi-monthly paycheck
   • Monthly
     Your net pay / 12 = Your monthly paycheck
   • Quarterly
     Your net pay / 4 = Your quarterly paycheck
   • Semi-annual
     Your net pay / 2 = Your semi-annual paycheck
   • Annual
     Your net pay = Your annual paycheck

State income tax brackets

Refer to Tax Foundation for more details.

State standard deduction

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