Virginia Paycheck Calculator

How to Use This Virginia Paycheck Calculator

This Virginia paycheck calculator estimates your 2026 net take-home pay after federal income tax, Virginia state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. The state is locked to Virginia; use the generic paycheck calculator if you work in a different state.

Enter your gross salary or hourly wage, pay frequency, filing status, and any pre-tax deductions (401(k), HSA, health insurance). Results update instantly with a full per-paycheck breakdown of every deduction.

How Virginia State Income Tax Works

Virginia uses a progressive bracket system with four brackets ranging from 2% to 5.75%. Unlike many states, Virginia applies the same brackets to all filing statuses — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, and head of household all face the same four-bracket structure. The key difference by filing status is the standard deduction and personal exemption amounts.

• Top bracket starts at just $17,000 — Because the 5.75% bracket begins at only $17,000 of Virginia taxable income, most full-time workers end up paying 5.75% on the majority of their earnings after the standard deduction.
• Standard deduction — $8,000 single / $16,000 MFJ. Substantially smaller than the 2026 federal deduction of $16,100, so Virginia taxable income is higher than federal taxable income for the same worker.
• Personal exemptions — $930 per taxpayer + $930 per dependent. A married couple with two children deducts $3,720 from Virginia taxable income on top of the standard deduction.
• No local income tax — Unlike Maryland, Virginia does not allow cities or counties to stack a local piggyback income tax on top of the state rate.

Step-by-Step Example — $75,000 Single Filer in Virginia

1. Gross annual pay: $75,000
2. Federal taxable income: $75,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $58,900. Federal income tax (10%–22% brackets): approximately $5,765.
3. Virginia taxable income: $75,000 − $8,000 standard deduction − $930 personal exemption = $66,070.
4. Virginia income tax: 2% on $3,000 ($60) + 3% on $2,000 ($60) + 5% on $12,000 ($600) + 5.75% on $49,070 ($2,822) = approximately $3,542.
5. FICA: 7.65% on $75,000 = $5,738.
6. Net take-home: approximately $59,955/year (~$2,306 biweekly).

Pre-tax 401(k) contributions reduce both federal and Virginia taxable income. Maxing a $23,500 contribution saves roughly $1,351 in Virginia state tax alone at the 5.75% rate. For a full annual tax breakdown, use the Virginia income tax calculator.

FICA Taxes — Social Security and Medicare

FICA is federal and applies to every Virginia paycheck regardless of location within the state.

• Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 (2025) or $184,500 (2026). No further withholding once you cross the wage base for the year.
• Medicare: 1.45% on all wages with no cap. Additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on wages above $200,000 single / $250,000 MFJ.
• Employer match: your employer matches Social Security and base Medicare; the Additional Medicare surtax is employee-only.

Virginia vs. Neighboring States

Virginia sits in a middle tier compared to its neighbors for state income tax burden:

• vs. Maryland: Maryland uses brackets of 2%–5.75% at the state level, plus a county piggyback tax of 2.25%–3.2% that all Maryland residents pay on top. A Maryland resident earning $100,000 typically pays $2,500–$3,000 more in state + local income tax than a comparable Virginia resident.
• vs. North Carolina: NC charges a flat 4.5% on all income (2026 rate) with a $12,750 standard deduction for single filers. A $75,000 North Carolina single filer pays roughly $2,800 in state tax vs. approximately $3,500 in Virginia.
• vs. Washington, D.C.: DC has progressive rates from 4% to 10.75%, with a $12,950 standard deduction. A $100,000 single DC resident pays substantially more in local income tax than the same earner filing as a Virginia resident.
• vs. Tennessee: Tennessee has no individual income tax on wages, meaning a Virginia resident paying 5.75% on the bulk of their income owes several thousand more per year than an equivalent Tennessee worker.

How to Reduce Virginia Tax Withholding

Pre-tax payroll deductions reduce both federal and Virginia taxable wages simultaneously — a two-for-one benefit at the 22% federal + 5.75% Virginia combined marginal rate.

• Max your 401(k)— the 2026 limit is $23,500 ($31,000 age 50+). At Virginia's 5.75% top rate, every $1,000 of pre-tax 401(k) saves $57.50 in VA state tax. Maxing at $23,500 saves approximately $1,351 in Virginia tax alone.
• Contribute to an HSA — $4,300 individual / $8,550 family in 2026. Virginia recognizes HSA deductions, reducing both federal and state taxable income. Through payroll, HSA contributions also avoid FICA.
• Enroll in a Dependent Care FSA — up to $5,000 per family pre-tax for childcare or elder care expenses.
• Update your VA-4— Virginia's withholding certificate (Form VA-4) lets you claim the $930 exemption for yourself, your spouse, and each dependent. Keep it current whenever your family size or filing status changes.
• Virginia age deduction — residents age 65+ can deduct up to $12,000 per person from Virginia income, significantly reducing state liability for older workers.

Tax Disclaimer

This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. It is not tax advice. Virginia state tax brackets, standard deduction amounts, and federal rules can change. Consult a qualified Virginia-licensed CPA or tax professional for your specific situation.