How a New York paycheck is built
Every New York worker pays federal income tax, calculated on the W-4 you submitted to your employer using the IRS Publication 15-T tables. Federal income tax is followed by FICA: 6.2 percent Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 1.45 percent Medicare on every dollar. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies once year-to-date wages cross $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly.
New York adds progressive state income tax. The bracket you fall into depends on filing status and taxable income. Verify current brackets with the NY State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Local taxes: New York has cities or counties that levy local income tax on top of state tax. Common examples are noted on the local-tax page.
State Disability Insurance: New York has employee-paid SDI premiums. The amount and cap are set by the state and shown as a separate line on your stub.
Paid Family Leave: New York has a Paid Family Leave program with employee-paid premiums.
What changed recently in New York
- NY PFL premium 0.388% of wages in 2025, capped at $354.53 annual contribution.
- NYC top rate 3.876% on income over $50,000.
- Yonkers resident surcharge 16.75% of NY State tax.
New York payroll quirks workers should know
- NYC tax: 3.078% to 3.876% depending on bracket. Resident only, no non-resident NYC tax since 1999.
- Yonkers: 16.75% of state tax for residents, plus 0.5% on non-resident wages.
- NY SDI: $0.60 a week, capped.
- NY PFL deduction visible.
Example breakdown
A hypothetical New York worker on a $65,000 annual salary, paid bi-weekly, single filer, no extra adjustments. Educational only, your real paycheck differs.
| Gross (bi-weekly) | $2,500.00 |
| Federal income tax | -$216.15 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$155.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$36.25 |
| New York state tax | -$137.50 |
| Estimated take-home | $1,943.10 |
Run your own numbers in the New York paycheck calculator.