South Carolina Paycheck Calculator

How to estimate your South Carolina take-home pay in 2026

South Carolina uses a two-tier state income tax structure with rates of 1.99% on lower incomes and 5.21% on higher incomes, after the South Carolina itemized deduction (SCIAD). This calculator estimates your 2026 net pay after federal withholding, FICA payroll taxes, and South Carolina state tax so you can plan monthly expenses and compare job offers with confidence.

Enter your annual salary or build it from hourly wages using our gross pay calculator. If you receive 26 paychecks per year, the biweekly pay calculator shows how gross and net amounts spread across the calendar. For federal tax details and dependent credits, see the income tax calculator and salary calculator.

What gets deducted from a South Carolina paycheck

A typical South Carolina W-2 paycheck includes three layers of mandatory withholding plus any voluntary deductions you elect through your employer:

• Federal income tax: Calculated from 2026 IRS brackets, your W-4 filing status, and qualifying child tax credits.
• FICA taxes: Social Security at 6.2% (capped at the 2026 wage base of $184,500) and Medicare at 1.45%, with an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 for single filers. Use our FICA tax calculator to isolate these amounts.
• South Carolina state income tax: 1.99% on taxable income up to $30,000 and 5.21% above $30,000, with a $966 tax credit applied above the threshold.

South Carolina does not allow cities or counties to levy a local income tax on wages. Pre-tax 401(k) contributions and HSA deposits reduce South Carolina taxable income because the state bases its tax on wages after pre-tax deductions.

How South Carolina state tax is calculated

South Carolina taxable income starts with gross wages after pre-tax deductions, then subtracts the South Carolina itemized deduction (SCIAD):

SCIAD amounts for 2026 are $15,000 for single filers, $30,000 for married filing jointly, and $22,500 for head of household. The $966 tax credit ensures continuity at the $30,000 taxable income threshold.

South Carolina taxable income in this calculator

South Carolina taxable income equals gross wages after pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions, minus the SCIAD. This differs from states like North Carolina that apply a flat rate after a standard deduction.

Worked example: $65,000 salary, single, biweekly, 5% 401(k)

Consider a single South Carolina employee earning $65,000 per year, paid biweekly, contributing 5% to a traditional 401(k), with no dependents or health premium deductions:

1. Pre-tax 401(k): $65,000 x 5% = $3,250 per year
2. Gross after pre-tax: $65,000 - $3,250 = $61,750
3. South Carolina taxable income: $61,750 - $15,000 (SCIAD) = $46,750
4. South Carolina state tax: $46,750 x 5.21% - $966 = $1,468.68 per year (income exceeds $30,000 threshold)
5. FICA: Social Security and Medicare on the full $65,000 gross (401(k) does not reduce FICA wages)
6. Estimated net per paycheck: About $1,926.07 biweekly after all withholdings

If you expect a performance bonus on top of base salary, estimate the gross amount with our bonus calculator and add it to your annual salary before running this tool.

South Carolina vs. neighboring state tax burdens

South Carolina sits in the Southeast alongside states with varied tax policies. Compare your salary against Georgia (5.19% flat rate), North Carolina (3.99% flat rate), and Florida (no state income tax). Running the same inputs through each state calculator reveals how relocation affects your monthly budget.

Frequently asked questions