Article
6 min read
Supplemental Tax Rates by State (2025)
US payroll
PEO

Author
Shannon Ongaro
Last Update
May 26, 2025
Published
January 06, 2025

Key takeaways
- Due to their nature as additional income, supplemental wages are subject to specific tax rates, both at the federal and state level.
- While the federal supplemental tax rate is a flat 22%, states have different approaches, with some imposing specific rates, others applying regular income tax rates, and some having no provisions for supplemental wages at all.
- Given the varying state regulations, ensuring accurate tax withholdings and payments can be challenging for employers. Using a payroll management solution like Deel US Payroll can help streamline this process.
Supplemental pay, also known as supplemental wages, is additional income an employee receives on top of their regular monthly wages or salary.
Since supplemental wages differ from regular wages in regard to payment dynamics, the tax rate applied also differs. The federal supplemental tax rate is a flat 22%, but states may have their own rates or provisions.
Supplemental tax rates by state
Here's a look at supplemental tax rates by state (2025):
State | IRS Supplemental Withholding Rate |
---|---|
Alabama | 5% |
Alaska | N/A |
Arizona | N/A |
Arkansas | 3.9% |
California | 6.60% - 10.23% |
Colorado | N/A |
Connecticut | N/A |
Delaware | 5.0% recommended |
District of Columbia | N/A |
Florida | 5.50% |
Georgia | N/A |
Hawaii | N/A |
Idaho | N/A |
Illinois | N/A |
Indiana | N/A |
Iowa | 6.0% |
Kansas | 5% |
Kentucky | N/A |
Louisiana | N/A |
Maine | 5% |
Maryland | N/A |
Massachusetts | N/A |
Michigan | N/A |
Minnesota | 6.25% |
Mississippi | N/A |
Missouri | 4.70% |
Montana | 5% |
Nebraska | 5% |
Nevada | N/A |
New Hampshire | N/A |
New Jersey | N/A |
New Mexico | 5.90% |
New York | 11.70% |
North Carolina | 4.35% |
North Dakota | 1.50% |
Ohio | 3.50% |
Oklahoma | 4.75% |
Oregon | 8% |
Pennsylvania | N/A |
Puerto Rico | N/A |
Rhode Island | 5.99% |
South Carolina | N/A |
South Dakota | N/A |
Tennessee | N/A |
Texas | N/A |
Utah | N/A |
Vermont | 30% of federal income tax withholding |
Virginia | 5.75% |
Washington | N/A |
West Virginia | N/A |
Wisconsin | 3.54% - 7.65% |
Wyoming | N/A |
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general informational purposes and should not be treated as legal or tax advice. Rates are accurate at the time of publishing. Consult a professional before proceeding.
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States that have supplemental taxes
These states apply a specific supplemental withholding rate for additional income like bonuses, commissions, or severance pay:
-
Alabama
-
Arkansas
-
California
-
Delaware
-
Florida
-
Iowa
-
Kansas
-
Maine
-
Minnesota
-
Missouri
-
Montana
-
Nebraska
-
New Mexico
-
New York
-
North Carolina
-
North Dakota
-
Ohio
-
Oklahoma
-
Oregon
-
Rhode Island
-
Vermont
-
Virginia
-
Wisconsin
States that don’t have supplemental taxes
These states do not have a specified supplemental withholding rate. In these locations, employers may use standard income tax rates or follow alternative withholding guidance:
-
Alaska
-
Arizona
-
Colorado
-
Connecticut
-
District of Columbia
-
Georgia
-
Hawaii
-
Idaho
-
Illinois
-
Indiana
-
Kentucky
-
Louisiana
-
Maryland
-
Massachusetts
-
Michigan
-
Mississippi
-
Nevada
-
New Hampshire
-
New Jersey
-
Pennsylvania
-
Puerto Rico
-
South Carolina
-
South Dakota
-
Tennessee
-
Texas
-
Utah
-
Washington
-
West Virginia
-
Wyoming
Examples of supplemental pay
Many forms of compensation typically account for supplemental wage payments. According to the IRS publication 15 (Circular E) on supplemental wages, supplemental wages include:
- Bonuses
- Overtime pay
- Awards
- Commissions
- Accumulated and unused sick leave
- Severance pay
- Vacation pay
- Tips
- Back pay
- Taxable fringe benefits
- Retroactive pay increases
This is not an exhaustive list, and employers may choose to include additional forms of supplemental pay.
Example of supplemental tax rate withholding
An employee in California receives a $1,000 bonus in addition to their regular wages. The bonus is taxed as a supplemental wage. Deductions include:
- Federal supplemental tax rate: 22%
- California State supplemental tax rate: 10.23%
- Other possible deductions (may vary by individual) include Social Security (6.2%) and Medicare (1.45%)
Tax Type | Rate | Amount Withheld |
---|---|---|
Federal Income Tax | 22% | $220.00 |
California Income Tax | 10.23% | $102.30 |
Social Security | 6.2% | $62.00 |
Medicare | 1.45% | $14.50 |
Total Withholding | ~39.88% | $398.80 |
Net Bonus | $601.20 |
This example assumes the flat rate method is used for the bonus (the most common approach for supplemental pay). In this scenario, California’s SDI tax could be an additional deduction.
If the aggregate method is used (where bonus is combined with regular wages), the actual tax withheld might differ, depending on the employee’s total income and withholding allowances.
Let Deel manage US payroll compliance for you
Deel offers a comprehensive solution for managing US and international payroll, including payments, taxes, worker classification, and more.
Employers can leave state-by-state compliance to experts by using Deel US Payroll or Deel PEO to handle HR, payroll, and compliance efficiently. To streamline your payroll processes and ensure compliance, book a demo with Deel today.
FAQs
Are bonuses taxed at 40%?
Bonuses are not taxed at 40%, but they are often withheld at a higher rate than regular pay, which can make it appear as if they are taxed more heavily.
For federal income tax, if your bonus is paid separately from your regular paycheck, employers typically withhold at a flat 22% rate for amounts up to $1 million. If your bonus exceeds $1 million, the amount over $1 million is withheld at a 37% rate.
However, when you add Social Security (6.2% up to the wage base), Medicare (1.45%), and state/local taxes, total withholding can approach or even exceed 40% in some states.
This is just withholding—your actual tax owed is based on your total income for the year, and any excess withheld is refunded when you file your tax return.
Why is supplemental income taxed so high?
Supplemental income (such as bonuses, commissions, overtime, and some stock compensation) is often withheld at higher rates because it is irregular and can push you into a higher tax bracket for the pay period.
The IRS requires higher withholding rates to prevent underpayment of taxes at year-end. For federal income tax, the standard flat withholding rate for most supplemental wages is 22% (or 37% for amounts above $1 million).
Social Security, Medicare, and state income taxes are also withheld, further increasing the total amount withheld from your supplemental pay.
How are stock bonuses taxed?
Stock bonuses, such as Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), are taxed as ordinary income when they vest (i.e., when you take ownership of the shares). The fair market value of the stock at vesting is included in your W-2 income and taxed at your ordinary income tax rate, just like a cash bonus.
Social Security and Medicare taxes also apply up to the annual wage base. If you sell the stock later, any additional gain or loss is taxed as a capital gain or loss, depending on how long you held the stock after vesting.
Are commissions taxed differently?
Commissions are treated similarly to other forms of supplemental income. If commissions are paid as part of your regular paycheck, they are subject to the same withholding as your salary based on your W-4.
If paid separately, commissions are subject to the flat 22% federal withholding rate for supplemental wages (plus Social Security, Medicare, and state taxes). The actual tax you owe on commissions, like with bonuses, is determined by your total taxable income for the year.

About the author
Shannon Ongaro is a content marketing manager and trained journalist with over a decade of experience producing content that supports franchisees, small businesses, and global enterprises. Over the years, she’s covered topics such as payroll, HR tech, workplace culture, and more. At Deel, Shannon specializes in thought leadership and global payroll content.