Virginia Paycheck Calculator 2026
Calculate your exact take-home pay in Virginia after federal and state taxes (Virginia has a state income tax).
Calculator
Enter your pay details
Where does your paycheck go?
In Virginia, you work until Mar 26 just to cover taxes.
Workers in Alaska are done by Mar 9.
Take-home at every salary level
| Salary | Federal | FICA | State | Take-home | Eff. rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,420 | $2,295 | $964 | $25,321 | 15.6% |
| $40,000 | $2,620 | $3,060 | $1,539 | $32,781 | 18.0% |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $2,114 | $40,241 | 19.5% |
| $60,000 | $5,020 | $4,590 | $2,689 | $47,701 | 20.5% |
| $80,000 | $8,770 | $6,120 | $3,839 | $61,271 | 23.4% |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $4,989 | $74,191 | 25.8% |
| $125,000 | $18,734 | $9,563 | $6,427 | $90,277 | 27.8% |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $7,864 | $105,927 | 29.4% |
| $200,000 | $36,734 | $14,339 | $10,739 | $138,188 | 30.9% |
| $250,000 | $51,304 | $15,514 | $13,614 | $169,568 | 32.2% |
Virginia Income Tax Overview
Virginia has a four-bracket progressive income tax with rates of 2%, 3%, 5%, and 5.75%. In practice, Virginia functions as a near-flat 5.75% state for nearly all workers, because the top bracket begins at just $17,000 of taxable income — a threshold set decades ago and never inflation-adjusted. A worker earning $30,000 gross crosses this threshold immediately after the standard deduction, meaning the vast majority of full-time workers pay 5.75% on nearly all their taxable income. Virginia's standard deduction of $8,750 for single filers is moderate. No Virginia city charges a local income tax on wages — Virginia Beach, Richmond, Norfolk, and Alexandria workers all pay only the statewide rate.
Here's what a single Virginia filer keeps in 2026. On a $50,000 salary, take-home is approximately $40,051 per year ($3,338/month) after federal, FICA, and state taxes. At $80,000, take-home is approximately $60,739 ($5,062/month), with the state taking $3,839. At $100,000, you keep about $73,659 ($6,138/month), with $4,989 going to Virginia. At $150,000, take-home is approximately $105,318 ($8,777/month), with the state taking $7,864. Virginia's effective rate for most earners is close to the full 5.75% top rate.
Compared to neighboring North Carolina (flat 3.99%), a Virginia worker at $80,000 takes home approximately $1,156 less per year. Against Maryland (4.75% state + county taxes up to 3.2%), Virginia suburban workers pay less combined than most Maryland workers. Against West Virginia (top 4.82% but with lower threshold), Virginia workers pay slightly more. Against Tennessee (no income tax), a Virginia worker at $80,000 pays $3,839 more per year — the cost of Virginia's state income tax.
Watch out: Virginia's $17,000 top bracket threshold is the central quirk of the state's income tax. It creates an unusual situation where a worker earning $25,000 and one earning $250,000 face essentially the same marginal rate of 5.75% on most of their income, despite being in very different financial situations. Virginia has repeatedly discussed bracket reform but hasn't enacted it. The practical implication: there's no income-based planning opportunity with Virginia taxes the way there might be in states with meaningful bracket progression — virtually all taxable income above a very modest amount is taxed at the top rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Virginia income tax rate for 2026? ▾
Why do Virginia brackets start so low? ▾
Do Virginia cities charge local income tax? ▾
How does Virginia compare to North Carolina for take-home pay? ▾
How these numbers are calculated
Every figure on this page is computed from published 2026 tax rules — not estimates or rounded ballparks. Federal income tax uses the seven 2026 brackets and the $16,100 single / $32,200 married standard deduction. FICA applies Social Security at 6.2% up to the $184,500 wage base and Medicare at 1.45% with no cap. Virginia state income tax is then applied on top of these federal figures. Self-employment figures apply the 15.3% SE tax with the standard 50% deductible-portion adjustment.
Primary sources
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 — 2026 federal brackets, standard deduction, and inflation adjustments
- Social Security Administration — 2026 Social Security wage base
- Tax Foundation & individual state revenue departments — 2026 state income tax rates and brackets
Not tax advice. Pay-Breakdown.com provides informational estimates based on standard tax rules and does not account for credits, itemized deductions, retirement contributions, or multiple income sources. For relocation, salary, or estimated-tax decisions, verify with a CPA or enrolled agent. See our data & methodology.