VA

Virginia Paycheck Calculator

See exactly what you take home after federal taxes, Virginia state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Updated for 2026.

State tax: 5.75% SS: 6.2% Medicare: 1.45% 2026 brackets
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1099 freelancer note: You owe both halves of Social Security & Medicare — that's 15.3% self-employment tax on top of income tax. Quarterly estimated payments due Apr 15, Jun 16, Sep 15, Jan 15.
Virginia state income tax (2026) Virginia top rate is 5.75% for income over $17,000.
$0–$3K: 2%, $3K–$5K: 3%, $5K–$17K: 5%, over $17K: 5.75%

Virginia Income Tax Explained (2026)

Virginia has a state income tax with a progressive (2%–5.75%) structure. Workers earning typical wages generally pay an effective state rate between 2.9% and 5.8% depending on income and deductions. Understanding how Virginia's tax works helps you accurately predict your take-home pay and plan your withholding.

Virginia residents also pay federal income tax (10%–37%), Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%). The combination of federal and state taxes is the primary driver of the gap between your gross pay and your actual paycheck.

How Virginia compares to neighboring states

Maryland
Up to 5.75%
Same top rate
North Carolina
~4.25% flat
Lower
Tennessee
No income tax
Zero tax
West Virginia
Up to 6.5%
Higher

What taxes come out of a Virginia paycheck?

A Virginia W-2 employee's paycheck is reduced by federal income tax (progressive 10%–37%), Virginia state income tax (progressive (2%–5.75%)), Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to $184,500, and Medicare at 1.45% on all wages. High earners above $200,000 also pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on excess wages.

Virginia freelancers and 1099 contractors pay self-employment tax of 15.3% — covering both employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare — on top of both federal and state income taxes. Half of the self-employment tax is deductible from federal adjusted gross income, reducing the effective burden slightly. Virginia freelancers must also make quarterly estimated state tax payments.

Virginia tax tips for 2026

  • Low bracket thresholds: Virginia's top rate of 5.75% applies to income above just $17,000 — meaning nearly all working adults pay the top rate on the vast majority of their income.
  • Standard deduction: Virginia's standard deduction is $8,000 for single filers ($16,000 married) in 2026 — lower than the federal standard deduction.
  • Retirement income: Virginia provides a deduction of up to $12,000 for military retirement income and up to $12,000 for qualifying taxpayers 65 and older on other retirement income.
  • Estimated taxes: Virginia requires quarterly estimated payments if you expect to owe more than $150. Use Virginia Form 760ES.

Frequently asked questions

Virginia has four progressive tax brackets: 2% on the first $3,000 of taxable income, 3% on $3,001–$5,000, 5% on $5,001–$17,000, and 5.75% on income above $17,000. Because the top 5.75% bracket starts at just $17,000 of taxable income, virtually all working adults pay the 5.75% rate on the vast majority of their income.
For a single filer earning $75,000 in Virginia in 2026, after the $8,000 standard deduction, taxable income is ~$67,000. State income tax is approximately $2,800–$3,200. Combined with federal tax (~$10,294), Social Security ($4,650), and Medicare ($1,088), total deductions are roughly $19,232. Take-home is approximately $55,768/year or ~$2,145 bi-weekly.
Virginia offers limited retirement income exemptions. Military retirement pay is deductible up to $12,000 annually. For residents age 65 and older, up to $12,000 of retirement income may be deductible if income is below certain thresholds. Social Security benefits that are federally taxable may also be taxable in Virginia. Virginia is less generous with retirement exemptions than many neighboring states.
Virginia and Maryland have nearly identical top income tax rates — Virginia at 5.75% and Maryland at 5.75%. However, Maryland also has local income taxes (ranging from 2.25% to 3.2% depending on county) while Virginia has no local income tax on wages. This means workers in Northern Virginia typically pay less total income tax than those in Maryland's DC suburbs.
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