Take-home pay in Virginia: federal, state and FICA explained
How federal income tax, Virginia state tax and FICA come out of each paycheck, with an example for a biweekly pay schedule.
Key facts
| Place | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Sales tax | State sales tax |
| Standard rate on file | 5.3% |
| Multiply net price by | 1.053 |
| Tax share of a gross price | 5.03% |
| Currency | USD |
The three main deductions
Every paycheck in Virginia 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 5.75% for Virginia as a planning estimate.
Worked example
Here is the calculation with sample figures. Change any number in the Virginia Paycheck Calculator to run your own.
| Gross annual salary | $150,000.00 |
| Pay periods per year | 26 |
| Federal rate (%) | 12% |
| State rate (%) | 5.75% |
| Gross amount | $5,769.23 |
|---|---|
| Federal tax | $692.31 |
| State tax | $331.73 |
| Social Security and Medicare | $441.35 |
| Net per paycheck | $4,303.85 |
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 5.3%
Common amounts in Virginia, 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 | $0.53 | $10.53 | $9.50 |
| $50.00 | $2.65 | $52.65 | $47.48 |
| $100.00 | $5.30 | $105.30 | $94.97 |
| $250.00 | $13.25 | $263.25 | $237.42 |
| $500.00 | $26.50 | $526.50 | $474.83 |
| $1,000.00 | $53.00 | $1,053.00 | $949.67 |
| $5,000.00 | $265.00 | $5,265.00 | $4,748.34 |
How Virginia 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 5.3% |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 6.25% | higher |
| Utah | 6.1% | higher |
| Vermont | 6% | higher |
| Washington | 6.5% | higher |
| West Virginia | 6% | higher |
| Wisconsin | 5% | lower |
Using the calculator step by step
- Open the Virginia Paycheck Calculator.
- Type your figures into the numbered lines. Results update as you type.
- Check the rate field. It starts at 5.3%; 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
- Withholding
- Tax deducted at source, by an employer or payer, before the money reaches you.
- Reduced rate
- A lower rate that applies to specific categories, often essentials such as food, medicine or books.
- Deduction
- An amount subtracted from taxable income. It saves tax equal to the deduction times your marginal rate.
- Gross amount
- The amount after tax is added, which is usually what a consumer pays.
- Marginal rate
- The rate applied to the next unit of income. It decides how much of a raise or a deduction you keep.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using your top federal bracket as the withholding rate.
- Forgetting pre-tax deductions.
Run your own numbers. The Virginia Paycheck Calculator updates as you type and shows the formula it uses.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax comes out of a paycheck in Virginia?
Federal withholding, FICA of 7.65% and any state income tax. The calculator estimates each line.
Does Virginia have a state income tax?
The planning rate used here is 5.75%; check current Virginia 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.