South Carolina Paycheck Calculator 2026
South Carolina cut its income tax to two brackets, 1.99% and 5.21%, starting with tax year 2026, and its new deduction shrinks as income rises.
Your details
Estimated take-home pay (Bi-weekly (every 2 weeks))
$2,266.75
$58,935 per year · 78.6% of gross
Deduction breakdown (per paycheck)
- Gross pay
- $2,884.62
- − Federal income tax
- $295.00
- − Social Security (FICA)
- $178.85
- − Medicare (FICA)
- $41.83
- − South Carolina state income tax
- $102.19
- Take-home pay
- $2,266.75
Estimate for 2026 using the rules on our methodology page. It is not tax advice; your employer's withholding and your return can differ.
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Create a pay stub from these numbersHow taxes work in South Carolina
South Carolina uses a progressive state income tax with marginal rates ranging from 2% to 5.2%. As with the federal system, only the portion of your income that falls inside each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate.
Before the brackets apply, South Carolina subtracts a standard deduction of about $15,000 for single filers.
These state brackets are applied in addition to federal income tax and FICA, all of which are withheld from each South Carolina paycheck.
What changes a South Carolina paycheck?
Act 110 of 2026, described in SCDOR Information Letter 26-20, replaced the old three brackets with two: 1.99% on the first $30,000 of taxable income and 5.21% above that. The top rate can fall further from 2027 if state revenue forecasts allow it.
The act also stopped South Carolina from following the federal standard deduction. Taxable income now starts from federal adjusted gross income, less a South Carolina Income Adjusted Deduction of $15,000 for single filers, $22,500 for head of household and $30,000 for joint filers.
That deduction is full up to $40,000 of income for single filers, $60,000 for head of household and $80,000 for joint filers. Above those points it shrinks in proportion, rounded down to a multiple of $10, and it is zero at $95,000, $142,500 and $190,000. The calculator applies this phase-down, using annual wages as a stand-in for adjusted gross income.
South Carolina has no local income tax and no state disability or paid-leave payroll deduction. Dependent deductions and the earned income credit are not modeled.
Example: take-home pay on $60,000 in South Carolina
Here's how a $60,000 salary breaks down for a single filer paid bi-weekly in South Carolina. After all taxes, take-home pay is about $48,728 per year — 81.2% of gross. Adjust the calculator above for your own numbers.
| Line item | Per year | Per paycheck |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $60,000 | $2,308 |
| − Federal income tax | $5,020 | $193 |
| − Social Security (FICA) | $3,720 | $143 |
| − Medicare (FICA) | $870 | $33 |
| − South Carolina state income tax | $1,662 | $64 |
| Take-home pay | $48,728 | $1,874 |
Estimate for a single filer, 2026 tax year, no pre-tax deductions. Figures are rounded. See our methodology for assumptions.
Take-home pay at other salaries in South Carolina
Single filer, paid every two weeks, 2026 rules, no pre-tax deductions.
| Salary | SC tax | Take-home per year | Per paycheck |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $498 | $33,823 | $1,301 |
| $60,000 | $1,662 | $48,728 | $1,874 |
| $85,000 | $3,320 | $65,307 | $2,512 |
| $120,000 | $5,286 | $87,964 | $3,383 |
South Carolina income tax rates used for 2026
Single
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | 1.99% |
| Over $30,000 | 5.21% |
Married filing jointly
| Taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | 1.99% |
| Over $30,000 | 5.21% |
- Standard deduction: $15,000 single, $30,000 married filing jointly, reduced at higher incomes.
Sources and limitations
The 2026 South Carolina tax inputs on this page are based on South Carolina tax source. The estimate covers federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. It does not include local taxes, state disability or unemployment withholding, tax credits, pre-tax benefits, or employer-specific deductions.
Review the full calculation methodology and tax sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Does South Carolina have a state income tax?
South Carolina has a progressive state income tax (2%–5.2%), withheld in addition to federal income tax and FICA.
What are the South Carolina income tax rates?
South Carolina has progressive brackets with marginal rates from 2% to 5.2%. Only income within each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate.
How much is taken out of a paycheck in South Carolina?
Federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) are withheld nationwide. In addition, South Carolina withholds state income tax as described above. Use the calculator on this page for an estimate based on your salary.