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Level 2
November 16, 2022
Solved

Bonus tax

  • November 16, 2022
  • 6 replies
  • 34 views

How much of my 35% bonus tax should I expect to get back if I am married filing jointly in the 12% bracket?

    Best answer by Loretta P

    The entire 35% should be federal withholding.

    6 replies

    Loretta P
    Employee Tax Expert
    Employee Tax Expert
    November 17, 2022

    You can use the TurboTax TaxCaster to estimate your tax refund or amount owed to the IRS.

     

    TaxCaster 

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    Level 2
    November 17, 2022

    thats great but i was really just wanting to know what percent of the 35% was federal witholding. I am not sure where to input bonuses as far as income on the tax caster becuase it doesnt have a section for it. if you need more details just tell me that. 

    Loretta P
    Employee Tax Expert
    Loretta PEmployee Tax ExpertAnswer
    Employee Tax Expert
    November 17, 2022

    The entire 35% should be federal withholding.

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    Level 15
    November 17, 2022

    I believe the statutory withholding on a lump sum bonus is in the range of 24%, not 35%.  A work bonus is also subject to social security and medicare tax withholding (which is not refunded) and state withholding (which depends on your state.  How did you calculate 35%, was that federal only, or federal plus state plus social security and medicare?

     

    For example, suppose you live in Virginia (5% income tax) and your bonus was taxed at 24% federal, 5% state, and 7.65% social security and medicare.  The social security and medicare is gone forever, and the 5% state withholding matches the 5% state tax so you break even, and the 24% federal withholding is double your marginal federal rate.  Assuming the bonus doesn't push you into a higher tax bracket, you would get half the federal withholding back as part of your tax refund.