Take-home pay in District of Columbia: federal, state and FICA explained
How federal income tax, District of Columbia state tax and FICA come out of each paycheck, with an example for a biweekly pay schedule.
Key facts
| Place | District of Columbia |
|---|---|
| Sales tax | State sales tax |
| Standard rate on file | 6% |
| Multiply net price by | 1.06 |
| Tax share of a gross price | 5.66% |
| Currency | USD |
The three main deductions
Every paycheck in District of Columbia has federal income tax withholding and FICA (6.2% Social Security up to the wage base plus 1.45% Medicare). State income tax depends on the state; the calculator starts with 6% for District of Columbia as a planning estimate.
Worked example
Here is the calculation with sample figures. Change any number in the District of Columbia Paycheck Calculator to run your own.
| Gross annual salary | $90,000.00 |
| Pay periods per year | 26 |
| Federal rate (%) | 12% |
| State rate (%) | 6% |
| Gross amount | $3,461.54 |
|---|---|
| Federal tax | $415.38 |
| State tax | $207.69 |
| Social Security and Medicare | $264.81 |
| Net per paycheck | $2,573.65 |
Pre-tax deductions
401(k) contributions, health premiums and HSA contributions taken pre-tax reduce taxable wages, so your real withholding may be lower than this simple estimate.
Quick reference at 6%
Common amounts in District of Columbia, worked both ways: adding tax to a net price, and extracting it from a price that already includes tax.
| Amount | Tax on net amount | Gross (net + tax) | Net if amount includes tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.60 | $10.60 | $9.43 |
| $50.00 | $3.00 | $53.00 | $47.17 |
| $100.00 | $6.00 | $106.00 | $94.34 |
| $250.00 | $15.00 | $265.00 | $235.85 |
| $500.00 | $30.00 | $530.00 | $471.70 |
| $1,000.00 | $60.00 | $1,060.00 | $943.40 |
| $5,000.00 | $300.00 | $5,300.00 | $4,716.98 |
How District of Columbia compares
Standard rates on file for other states. A difference of a few points matters most on high-value purchases and on cross-border sales.
| Place | Rate on file | Compared with 6% |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 2.9% | lower |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | higher |
| Delaware | 0% | lower |
| Florida | 6% | same |
| Georgia | 4% | lower |
| Hawaii | 4% | lower |
Using the calculator step by step
- Open the District of Columbia Paycheck Calculator.
- Type your figures into the numbered lines. Results update as you type.
- Check the rate field. It starts at 6%; change it if a reduced rate, local surcharge or exemption applies to you.
- Read the result on the receipt panel, and use the formula shown under it if you need to explain the figure to a client or colleague.
Key terms
- Marginal rate
- The rate applied to the next unit of income. It decides how much of a raise or a deduction you keep.
- Taxable income
- Income left after allowances and deductions, on which the tax rates are applied.
- Zero rate
- A rate of 0% on a taxable supply. Unlike an exemption, the seller can usually still reclaim tax on costs.
- Tax credit
- An amount subtracted directly from the tax bill, worth its full face value.
- Standard rate
- The rate that applies to most goods and services unless a specific reduced rate, zero rate or exemption applies.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using your top federal bracket as the withholding rate.
- Forgetting pre-tax deductions.
Run your own numbers. The District of Columbia Paycheck Calculator updates as you type and shows the formula it uses.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax comes out of a paycheck in District of Columbia?
Federal withholding, FICA of 7.65% and any state income tax. The calculator estimates each line.
Does District of Columbia have a state income tax?
The planning rate used here is 6%; check current District of Columbia rules for your income.
This article is general information for planning, not tax advice. Rates and rules change; confirm with your tax authority or a qualified adviser.