Virginia Paycheck Calculator 2026

Virginia Payroll Tax Overview

Virginia uses a graduated state income tax system with a top marginal rate of 5.75%. Lower income levels are taxed at lower rates, so your effective state tax rate will be below the 5.75% top bracket. Workers in Virginia pay state income tax on top of federal income tax (10%–37%), Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%).

The 2026 federal income tax brackets for single filers: 10% on the first $11,925; 12% to $48,475; 22% to $103,350; 24% to $197,300; 32% to $250,525; 35% to $626,350; 37% above. Pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance, HSA) reduce your taxable income before both federal and state taxes are applied.

This calculator estimates your Virginia state tax using your gross pay and the top-bracket rate as a conservative estimate. For a precise calculation, use Virginia's official tax brackets and apply the graduated rates to your taxable income after standard deductions.

Federal vs Virginia Tax Burden

For a Virginia single filer earning $60,000 annually, estimated federal income tax is roughly $6,748 (11.2% effective rate), plus Virginia state income tax of approximately $2,420 (estimated effective rate), Social Security $3,720, and Medicare $870. Estimated annual take-home: around $46,200.

States with graduated income tax rates like Virginia apply higher rates only to income above each threshold — similar to how federal tax brackets work. Your effective state tax rate will be lower than the top 5.75% marginal rate unless nearly all your income falls in the top bracket.

To reduce your Virginia paycheck tax burden, maximize pre-tax deductions: 401(k) contributions (up to $23,500 in 2026), HSA contributions (up to $4,300 for self-only coverage), and employer-sponsored health insurance premiums all lower both federal and state taxable income.

How to Use This Virginia Paycheck Calculator

Enter your pay period (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly, or annual), then input either your annual gross salary or your hourly rate and average hours per week. Select your federal filing status — single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, or head of household — as this determines your federal tax brackets and standard deduction.

If you have pre-tax deductions such as a 401(k) contribution, health insurance premium, or HSA contribution, enter the total per-period dollar amount. These reduce your taxable income before federal and state taxes are calculated. The calculator will show federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%), Virginia state income tax (5.75%), your total deductions, and your net take-home pay — both per period and annualized.

Results are estimates based on standard assumptions and 2026 tax rates. Actual withholding may differ based on your W-4 elections, additional withholding, local taxes (in some cities), or retirement plan contribution limits. For precise payroll calculations, consult your payroll provider or a tax professional.

Virginia 2026 State Tax Brackets — Actual Rates (Not Just the 5.75% Top)

Per the Virginia Department of Taxation, VA uses four graduated brackets that have been unchanged since 1990: 2% on the first $3,000 of taxable income; 3% from $3,001 to $5,000; 5% from $5,001 to $17,000; 5.75% above $17,000. Because the 5.75% top rate kicks in so early, most VA workers earning $30,000+ have essentially all incremental income taxed at 5.75%. Effective state rate at $50,000 taxable = 4.68%; at $75,000 = 5.06%; at $100,000 = 5.28%; at $150,000 = 5.44%. The Virginia standard deduction rose to $8,500 single / $17,000 MFJ for tax year 2025, indexed to inflation for 2026 — so effective taxable income is lower than federal AGI. Use this calculator's 5.75% assumption for wages above $30K; below that, actual effective rate is 4-5%, giving a slightly larger take-home than shown.

Source: Virginia Department of Taxation — Individual Income Tax rates 2026. Updated 2026-07-09.

Paycheck Calculator Virginia — DC Metro Commuter & Reciprocity Rules

Virginia has income-tax reciprocity agreements with four neighbors: DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Kentucky. If you live in VA and work in any of those jurisdictions, you file only Virginia state tax and pay VA rates on the entire salary — even if your employer is in DC or Maryland. Submit Form VA-4 to your out-of-state employer to stop DC/MD withholding. This matters massively for Northern Virginia (NoVA) tech workers: Arlington, Alexandria, and Fairfax County residents working at DC or Bethesda employers keep the whole VA vs DC/MD tax gap. DC's top marginal rate is 10.75% above $1M and 9.75% above $250K; Maryland's is 5.75% state + 2.25-3.2% county = 8-9% effective. A $150,000 NoVA commuter working in downtown DC saves roughly $6,000-$8,000/year via reciprocity vs the same job living in DC. Confirm your setup with your HR payroll team — the wrong withholding form triggers double-state filings and refund delays.

Source: Virginia Department of Taxation — Reciprocity Agreements. Updated 2026-07-09.

Paycheck Calculator Virginia — Worked Take-Home on an $80,000 Salary in 2026

Concrete Virginia 2026 numbers to sanity-check the calculator. Assume $80,000 gross annual salary, single filer, no 401(k) or HSA. Federal income tax under 2026 brackets and $14,600 standard deduction: approximately $8,480 (effective 10.6%). FICA: Social Security 6.2% × $80,000 = $4,960; Medicare 1.45% = $1,160. Virginia state income tax after $8,500 standard deduction (2026 indexed): 2% × first $3,000 = $60, 3% × next $2,000 = $60, 5% × next $12,000 = $600, 5.75% × $54,500 = $3,134 — total VA state $3,854 (effective 4.82%). Total taxes: roughly $18,454. Net annual take-home: $61,546, or $5,129/month, or $2,367 biweekly, or $1,184/week. Cross-check the state math against the Virginia Department of Taxation Individual Income Tax page and the federal side against the IRS Publication 15-T (2026 Federal Withholding Methods).

Source: Virginia Department of Taxation (VA brackets 2026) + IRS Publication 15-T. Updated 2026-07-16.