California Tax Brackets: A Complete Guide for 2025

california income tax brackets

By taking careful account of what you’re eligible for, you optimize your estimation, ensuring every dollar you’re entitled to stays in your pocket. We last updated California Tax Rate Schedules in January 2025 from the California Franchise Tax Board. This form is for income earned in tax year 2024, with tax returns due in April 2025. We will update this page with a new version of What is bookkeeping the form for 2026 as soon as it is made available by the California government. The most notable change is the increase in the top marginal rate, which now stands at 14.3% for individuals earning $599,017 or more.

california income tax brackets

California Tax Brackets 2025: Rates, Income Brackets, and Key Changes

california income tax brackets

This credit can be claimed in the year the adoption is finalized, and any unused credit can be carried forward to future years. Covered expenses typically include adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, and travel expenses related to the adoption. California residents should pay attention to these updates.

california income tax brackets

California Tax Brackets (

Yes—and if you’re a business owner, it’s a tax break you can’t afford to ignore. You can pay via check, money order, credit card, electronic funds withdrawal, or your bank account, or you can arrange a payment schedule. The insurance tax is one of the largest sources of revenue for the state’s general fund. It is imposed on insurance premiums and paid by insurance companies, although in practice it may lead to higher rates for consumers.

Adjusted Tax Rates

  • California has nine state income tax brackets, with rates ranging from 1% to 12.3%.
  • Its base sales tax rate of 6.00% is higher than that of any other state, and its top marginal income tax rate of 12.3% is the highest state income tax rate in the country.
  • Don’t overlook any medical expenses, state taxes paid, mortgage interest, or donations—these could all play a part in lowering your taxable income.
  • California is known for having some of the highest state income tax rates in the United States 🇺🇸, with rates that have ranged from 1% for the lowest earners up to 13.3% for the highest earners.
  • It functions like a normal income tax and means that the top marginal rate in California is, effectively, 13.3%.
  • Credits, on the other hand, reduce the actual tax owed.

Our Suspense Account 600+ customers are a testament to our proficiency with outsourced bookkeeping and accounting services, CFO services, and tax planning. They vary by filing status—single, married filing jointly, or head of household—ensuring the system accounts for different household sizes. While no drastic changes are currently scheduled, debates around California’s top tax rates remain ongoing. Proposals occasionally surface to increase or decrease certain rates, especially for high-income earners.

In California, different tax brackets are applicable to different filing types. Married couples filing their California income tax return jointly will usually have wider tax brackets than those filing separately or as an individual. The tax rates and brackets below apply to income earned in 2024, reported on taxes filed in 2025.

california income tax brackets

Not sure if your child or an other person will qualify to be a dependent on your tax return? Start one or more free state income tax calculators and get an estimate of your state taxes. Sweeney & Michel, california income tax brackets LLC is a Registered Investment Adviser. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Sweeney & Michel, LLC and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. Investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital.

california income tax brackets

For those earning $100,000 or less, California provides a Tax Table to determine the exact amount owed. However, if your taxable income exceeds this threshold, you’ll need to refer to the detailed California income tax brackets for 2025. California follows a progressive tax system, meaning the more you earn, the higher your tax rate. While the tax rates remain unchanged for 2025, the income brackets have been adjusted for inflation. This means that even if your salary didn’t increase significantly, your taxable income could fall into a different bracket, affecting the amount you owe.

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