Where your bonus goes · US study
Why your bonus felt gutted: a $10,000 bonus loses 41% before you see it in New York.
Bonuses are withheld as "supplemental wages" — a flat 22% federal, plus Social Security, Medicare and state. We ran a $10,000 bonus through every kind of state to show what actually lands in your account.
A bonus feels like it gets destroyed by tax — and the numbers explain why. The IRS treats bonuses as supplemental wages, withheld at a flat 22% federal rate, on top of Social Security, Medicare and state withholding. We ran a $10,000 bonus through every kind of state. In New York, 41% is withheld before it reaches you — leaving just $5,865.
What a $10,000 bonus really nets, by state
| State | Withheld | You actually get | % withheld |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $4,135 | $5,865 | 41% |
| California | $3,988 | $6,012 | 40% |
| Oregon | $3,765 | $6,235 | 38% |
| Minnesota | $3,750 | $6,250 | 38% |
| Texas / Florida / no-tax | $2,965 | $7,035 | 30% |
Here's the crucial catch, and it's good news: this is withholding, not the final tax. Your bonus is really taxed at your ordinary marginal rate, and the over-withheld amount comes back as a refund when you file. So the 41% that vanishes in New York isn't gone — much of the federal portion returns. Work out your own figure with the bonus tax calculator.
All figures computed from published IRS and state tax rules for the 2026 tax year, using the same engine behind our calculators, and verified 12 August 2026. Reproducible and free to cite — contact us for the underlying data.