California Payroll & Paycheck Tax Calculator

Submit one application through the Employment Development Department (EDD) to get your state payroll tax account and unemployment insurance set up so you can legally withhold and submit California Personal Income Tax (PIT), Unemployment Insurance (UI), Employment Training Tax (ETT), and State Disability Insurance (SDI). It’s one easy online application.

From employee forms that will help you calculate how much state tax to withhold from each employee’s paycheck to mandatory new hire paperwork to facilitate management of California programs like State Disability Insurance (SDI) and paid family leave, you’ll get all your state paperwork in order before adding newcomers to the payroll.

And be sure to look out for forms not all employers need to file, like:
• DE 7: Annual reconciliation statement
• SDI Voluntary Plan forms: If you offer a private disability plan
• IRS forms: If you’re in the combined federal/state filing program
• DE 26: For registering EFT (electronic tax payments)
• Workers’ comp filings: Proof of required insurance
• ACA health coverage reporting: If you’re a large employer

You’ll need the basics on California minimum wage law, which ​As of January 1, 2024, the state’s minimum wage stands at $16.50 per hour for most workers. It’s not all straightforward, though. Certain sectors have higher minimum wages; for instance, fast-food workers earn $20 per hour starting April 1, 2024. And many cities and counties have implemented local ordinances with even higher wage requirements. 

Then there’s overtime. California mandates that non-exempt employees receive 1.5x their regular pay rate for hours worked beyond 8 in a single day or 40 in a week. Double-time pay is required for hours worked over 12 in a day.

Pay period laws in California dictate when and how employees must be paid. In California, most employees must be paid at least twice a month. Wages earned between the 1st and 15th of the month should be paid by the 26th of that month. Wages earned between the 16th and the last day of the month are due by the 10th of the following month. There are exceptions for executives and administrative workers, as well as farm employees.

Finally, remember paid leave laws: California law mandates paid sick leave, bereavement leave, and leave to care for a serious illness, loved one, or new child. 

Now, let’s make this easy. Tackle gross pay, take-home pay, deductions, and tax withholding, whether your employees are hourly or salaried, with the California payroll calendar. You’ll be able to withhold the right taxes and issue paychecks that follow all the Golden State rules. Whether you’ve got a few employees or a growing team, payroll just got easier.

Payroll and tax obligations are never a one-and-done — employers are subject to periodic filings with due dates. Most companies use form DE 88 (digital is easiest!) to submit withheld taxes, UI, and SDI to the state periodically. Payment due dates depend on deposit schedules, which are based on the amount of payroll taxes you owe — either quarterly, monthly, or semi-weekly.