How South Carolina taxes your paycheck
South Carolina uses a graduated 2026 income tax with rates from 3% to 6% across 3 brackets. Only the income inside each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate. The full 2026 single-filer schedule is shown below.
This calculator applies the 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deduction, the 2026 FICA rates (6.2% Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base and 1.45% Medicare on all wages, plus the 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on high earners), and South Carolina's 2026 state schedule.
South Carolina 2026 income tax brackets
These are South Carolina's 2026 single-filer brackets. Tax is marginal — each rate applies only to the income inside that band. Married-filing-jointly doubles every threshold; this estimate applies the single-filer schedule to head-of-household filers.
| Rate | 2026 taxable income (single) |
| 0% | $0 – $3,640 |
| 3% | $3,640 – $18,230 |
| 6% | $18,230 and up |
Source: Tax Foundation, 2026 State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, and the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Single filer, tax year 2026. Verified against the Reckix calculation engine.
How this is calculated
- Federal income tax — your gross minus the 2026 standard deduction
(
$16,100single,$32,200married filing jointly,$24,150head of household), run through the 2026 federal brackets for your filing status. - FICA —
6.2%Social Security on wages up to$184,500,1.45%Medicare on all wages, and a0.9%Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 (single) / $250,000 (married filing jointly). - South Carolina state tax — South Carolina applies its 2026 graduated brackets (shown below) marginally to your wages. Married-filing-jointly doubles the single-filer thresholds; head-of-household is estimated on the single-filer schedule. Local taxes and state credits aren't modeled.
- Pre-tax deductions (optional) — 401(k)/403(b) contributions lower your federal (and, in most states, state) taxable income but not FICA; HSA/FSA and pre-tax health premiums lower federal, state, and FICA wages. Your contributions are still your money — they're saved into those accounts, not paid out in your check.
What it doesn't model: local city/county taxes, itemized deductions, or state-specific credits — so treat the result as a solid planning estimate, not a payroll-exact figure. (Pre-tax 401(k)/HSA/premium deductions are now included via the optional fields.)
Data as of July 2026 (tax year 2026). Federal brackets & standard deduction: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32. FICA rates & the $184,500 wage base: SSA 2026. South Carolina schedule: South Carolina Department of Revenue / Tax Foundation 2026.
Take-home pay in other states
South Carolina paycheck FAQ
Does South Carolina have a state income tax in 2026?
Yes. South Carolina uses a graduated 2026 income tax with rates from 3% to 6% across 3 brackets (single filer; married-filing-jointly thresholds are doubled).
How much is taken out of a South Carolina paycheck?
Every paycheck has federal income tax (2026 brackets, by filing status) and FICA — 6.2% Social Security up to the $184,500 wage base and 1.45% Medicare on all wages. South Carolina adds a graduated state income tax (3%–6%). Enter your salary above for the exact split.
Is this take-home figure exact?
It's a close estimate. It uses the real 2026 federal and FICA rules, South Carolina's 2026 state schedule, and your pre-tax 401(k)/HSA/premium inputs, but it doesn't model local city taxes or every state credit — use it to plan, not to reconcile a pay stub.
This calculator is an educational estimate, not tax advice or a payroll statement. It does not account for every pre-tax deduction, local taxes, or every credit. Verify important figures with a tax professional. Data as of July 2026.