Virginia uses progressive tax brackets. Higher portions of pay are taxed at higher rates.
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.
How a Virginia paycheck is built
Every Virginia 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.
Virginia adds progressive state income tax. The bracket you fall into depends on filing status and taxable income. Verify current brackets with the Virginia Department of Taxation.
What changed recently in Virginia
- No major rate change for 2025-2026.
- Standard deduction tied to federal.
- No state PFL or SDI.
Virginia payroll quirks workers should know
- Virginia VA-4 form for state withholding.
- No local payroll tax.
Example breakdown
A hypothetical Virginia worker on a $65,000 annual salary, paid bi-weekly, single filer, no extra adjustments. Educational only, your real paycheck differs.
| Gross (bi-weekly) | $2500.00 |
| Federal income tax | -$250.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$155.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$36.25 |
| Virginia state tax | -$112.50 |
| Estimated take-home | $1946.25 |
Run your own numbers in the Virginia paycheck calculator.
Authoritative sources
Frequently asked questions
- Does Virginia have state income tax?
- Yes. Virginia uses progressive brackets. Verify with the Virginia Department of Taxation.
- Are there local income taxes in Virginia?
- No. Virginia does not have local income taxes on wages.
- Does Virginia have State Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave premiums?
- No. Virginia does not have state-mandated SDI or PFL employee premiums.
- Does Virginia have daily-overtime rules?
- No. Virginia follows federal FLSA: 1.5x for hours above 40 in a workweek.
- What is FICA on a Virginia paycheck?
- FICA is federal: 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 above $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly. FICA applies in every state.
- Where do I verify Virginia state tax withholding?
- The Virginia Department of Taxation (https://www.tax.virginia.gov/) is the authoritative source. For your specific paycheck, contact your employer's payroll team or a CPA.
- Why is my Virginia tax higher than my income suggests?
- Virginia top bracket of 5.75% starts at $17,000 of taxable income. Almost every full-time worker is in the top bracket on at least part of their wages.