Frequently asked questions
- Does Washington have a state income tax?
- No. Washington is one of nine US states with no state income tax on wages. Your paycheck deductions are: federal income tax, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.45%, plus WA PFML and WA Cares Fund.
- What is WA PFML?
- Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave. Total 2026 premium 1.13% of wages, capped at SS wage base ($184,500). Employee share ~71.43% of premium = ~0.807% of wages for employers with 50+ employees. Funds WA Paid Leave benefits.
- What is WA Cares Fund?
- A long-term care benefit. 0.58% employee-paid (no wage cap). Started July 2023. Employees who privately opted out before the deadline are exempt; the opt-out window has closed. Benefits begin July 2026 for qualifying workers.
- Does Seattle have a city income tax?
- No employee-side Seattle city income tax. The Seattle JumpStart Tax (Payroll Expense Tax) is paid by large employers on high salaries, not withheld from worker paychecks. The Seattle high-earner income tax attempt was struck down by the courts.
- What lines should I expect on a Seattle paycheck?
- Washington has no state income tax and Seattle no city income tax, but two state-program premiums still show up alongside the federal lines (federal income tax, Social Security 6.2% to $184,500, Medicare 1.45%): the WA Paid Family and Medical Leave premium (employee share, around 0.807% of the total) and the WA Cares Fund long-term-care premium at 0.58%. Pre-tax 401(k), HSA, FSA or Section 125 health appear only when elected.
USA · SEATTLE · 2026 · Educational only
Seattle Paycheck Calculator
Washington has no state income tax. Seattle has no city income tax. Your paycheck math is federal + FICA + WA PFML (~0.807%) + WA Cares Fund (0.58%). Both WA contributions appear on every Seattle paycheck.
Federal + FICA + WA PFML + WA Cares
Paycheck calculator
Enter gross, state, and filing status. Estimates only.
Estimated take-home (per period)
$2,408.51
Estimated take-home (annual): $62,621.14
Educational only, not tax, legal, financial, or payroll advice. Verify with your payroll team, a CPA, the IRS, or your state tax authority.
Sources
WA Paid Leave + WA Cares: Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave. Seattle JumpStart Tax (employer): City of Seattle.
Common questions
- Does Washington have a state income tax?
- No. Washington is one of nine US states with no state income tax on wages. Your paycheck deductions are: federal income tax, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.45%, plus WA PFML and WA Cares Fund.
- What is WA PFML?
- Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave. Total 2026 premium 1.13% of wages, capped at SS wage base ($184,500). Employee share ~71.43% of premium = ~0.807% of wages for employers with 50+ employees. Funds WA Paid Leave benefits.
- What is WA Cares Fund?
- A long-term care benefit. 0.58% employee-paid (no wage cap). Started July 2023. Employees who privately opted out before the deadline are exempt; the opt-out window has closed. Benefits begin July 2026 for qualifying workers.
- Does Seattle have a city income tax?
- No employee-side Seattle city income tax. The Seattle JumpStart Tax (Payroll Expense Tax) is paid by large employers on high salaries, not withheld from worker paychecks. The Seattle high-earner income tax attempt was struck down by the courts.
- What lines should I expect on a Seattle paycheck?
- Washington has no state income tax and Seattle no city income tax, but two state-program premiums still show up alongside the federal lines (federal income tax, Social Security 6.2% to $184,500, Medicare 1.45%): the WA Paid Family and Medical Leave premium (employee share, around 0.807% of the total) and the WA Cares Fund long-term-care premium at 0.58%. Pre-tax 401(k), HSA, FSA or Section 125 health appear only when elected.
Related
PayslipIQ provides educational information and estimated calculations only. It does not provide tax, legal, financial, accounting, employment, benefits, or payroll advice. PayslipIQ is not a CPA firm, law firm, financial advisor, payroll provider, or tax authority. Always verify your paycheck, deductions, withholdings, and tax position with your employer's payroll department, a qualified CPA, the IRS, your state tax authority, or another appropriately qualified professional. Calculations are estimates; your actual paycheck may differ based on factors specific to your employer, location, benefits elections, and personal tax situation.