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Washington Paycheck Guide

Washington has no state income tax. Your paycheck only has federal tax (income tax + FICA) and any local taxes that apply.

PI
Reviewed by PayslipIQ Editorial Team, in-house payroll editor
Last reviewed May 2026 · Editorial standards on methodology

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.

Washington: the local picture

Washington has no state income tax on wages, but the WA Cares Fund (long-term care) and WA Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums are deducted from pay. Together they add roughly 0.7-1.0% to most Washington paychecks.

Washington Paycheck Calculator

Estimate take-home pay for Washington.

Washington State Tax

Washington tax structure and rates.

Washington Overtime

Federal FLSA applies.

Washington Pay Stub Laws

Employer pay stub requirements in Washington.

How a Washington paycheck is built

Every Washington 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.

Washington levies no state income tax on wages. Your paycheck has only federal layers, no state line.

Paid Family Leave: Washington has a Paid Family Leave program with employee-paid premiums.

What changed recently in Washington

  • WA Cares Fund premium 0.58% of wages, employee-only.
  • WA PFML premium 0.92% of wages, employer + employee split (employee share around 0.6%).
  • WA Cares benefits begin July 2026.

Washington payroll quirks workers should know

  • Two separate state-level deductions on every Washington paycheck despite no state income tax.
  • WA Cares Fund opt-out closed (with limited grandfathered exceptions).
  • No local income tax in Seattle, Spokane, or anywhere in Washington.

Example breakdown

A hypothetical Washington 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
Washington state tax$0.00 (no state income tax)
Estimated take-home$2058.75

Run your own numbers in the Washington paycheck calculator.

Authoritative sources

Frequently asked questions

Does Washington have state income tax?
No. Washington levies no state income tax on wages.
Are there local income taxes in Washington?
No. Washington does not have local income taxes on wages.
Does Washington have State Disability Insurance or Paid Family Leave premiums?
Washington has a Paid Family Leave program with employee-paid premiums.
Does Washington have daily-overtime rules?
No. Washington follows federal FLSA: 1.5x for hours above 40 in a workweek.
What is FICA on a Washington 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 Washington state tax withholding?
The Washington Department of Revenue (https://dor.wa.gov/) is the authoritative source. For your specific paycheck, contact your employer's payroll team or a CPA.
Why does my Washington paycheck have state-level deductions if there is no state income tax?
WA Paid Family and Medical Leave premium and WA Cares Fund (long-term care) premium. Both are payroll-based contributions, not income tax. Together they are roughly 1% of wages.
Did the Seattle JumpStart Tax change my paycheck?
No. JumpStart is paid by the employer on high-compensation employees. Workers do not see it as a deduction.