Tax Bracket for California (2026)
Last updated: January 15, 2026
California (CA) Key Facts
Tax Structure
Progressive
Top Marginal Rate
13.3%
Number of Brackets
10
Tax Year
2,026
How This Calculator Works in California
This calculator shows which California tax bracket your income falls into. Enter your income and filing status to see marginal and effective rates.
California Overview
California uses a progressive income tax system with 10 brackets ranging from 1% to 13.3%. Higher portions of your income are taxed at higher rates, so your effective rate is always lower than your top marginal bracket.
How California Compares
California's top rate of 13.3% compares to Oregon at 9.9% and Nevada at 0%. Comparing effective rates is more meaningful than top rates alone.
| State | Top Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 9.9% | Oregon has an income tax rate of 9.9%. |
| Nevada | 0% | Nevada has an income tax rate of 0%. |
| Arizona | 2.5% | Arizona has an income tax rate of 2.5%. |
California's income tax rate of 13.3% compares to a national average of approximately 5.04%. This is above the national average.
Tips for California Residents
- 1California has a progressive income tax with 10 brackets ranging from 1% to 13.3%.
- 2Your marginal rate (the rate on your last dollar) is often higher than your effective rate (total tax / total income).
- 3Moving into a higher bracket only taxes the additional income at the higher rate, not your entire income.
- 4Pre-tax 401(k) and IRA contributions can keep you in a lower California bracket by reducing taxable income.
- 5Compare your effective rate rather than marginal rate when evaluating California's tax impact on your finances.