South Carolina Paycheck Calculator

Updated for 2026 tax year · figures checked on November 3, 2026

South Carolina withholding in 2026 follows the Department of Revenue's published formula, which tops out at 6%. A 2026 law has since cut the tax itself, so withholding and the tax you'll owe differ this year. This South Carolina paycheck calculator, also an SC salary and take-home pay calculator, shows what employers withhold now, alongside federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare.

A single filer on a $60,000 salary, paid every two weeks with one allowance, has a $2,307.69 paycheck and takes home about $1,850.23, or $48,106 a year.

Take-home pay per bi-weekly paycheck

$1,850.23

$48,105.98 a year from $59,999.94 gross pay (26 paychecks)

Take-home 80.2%
Federal income tax 8.4%
Social Security 6.2%
Medicare 1.4%
State income tax 3.8%

Paycheck breakdown per paycheck and per year in South Carolina
Item	Per paycheck	Per year
Gross pay	$2,307.69	$59,999.94
Federal income tax	−$193.08	−$5,020.08
Social Security	−$143.08	−$3,720.08
Medicare	−$33.46	−$869.96
State income tax	−$87.84	−$2,283.84
Take-home pay	$1,850.23	$48,105.98

How we calculated this

Estimates for informational purposes only, based on 2026 withholding rules. Your actual paycheck may differ. This is not tax advice. Report an issue

South Carolina salary calculator: what your result means

Your result is take-home pay after federal and South Carolina withholding. In the $60,000 example, federal income tax is about 8.4% of gross pay, Social Security and Medicare 7.7%, and South Carolina withholding 3.8%.

South Carolina withholding depends on the allowances on your SC W-4, not your filing status: each allowance lowers withheld wages by $5,000, and claiming at least one also gives you a standard deduction of 10% of wages up to $7,500.

At $100,000 a year, take-home pay is about $2,868.69 every two weeks, or $74,586 a year. A $40,000 salary paid weekly comes to about $636.86 per paycheck.

How South Carolina taxes your paycheck

South Carolina withholding at a glance
State income tax on wages	Graduated rates (see below)
State payroll programs withheld from pay	None

Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, WH-1603F Formula for Computing South Carolina 2026 Withholding Tax (Rev. 11/4/25)

South Carolina withholding rates, withholding formula (all filers) schedule

over $00%
over $3,6403%
over $18,2306%

South Carolina withholding rates by taxable wages
Schedule	Taxable wages over	Rate
Withholding formula (all filers)	$0	0%
	$3,640	3%
	$18,230	6%

Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, WH-1603F Formula for Computing South Carolina 2026 Withholding Tax (Rev. 11/4/25)

Employers subtract $5,000 per SC W-4 allowance and a standard deduction of 10% of wages up to $7,500 (none with zero allowances).
These are the 2026 withholding rates the Department of Revenue published in 2025; a 2026 law later cut the tax rates retroactively, and revised withholding tables haven't been issued.

The 2026 withholding formula taxes annual wages, after allowances and the standard deduction, at 0% up to $3,640, 3% to $18,230 and 6% above, with a subtraction that keeps the steps smooth. It was published in late 2025.

In 2026 the legislature passed Act 110, which cut South Carolina's rates retroactively to January 1: 1.99% on the first $30,000 of income and 5.21% above, with a new South Carolina deduction. The Department of Revenue said it would adjust the withholding tables but hadn't published new ones when this page was checked, so many workers will be over-withheld for 2026 and get the difference back as a refund.

Pre-tax deductions in South Carolina

The withholding formula doesn't say how 401(k), Section 125 health insurance, HSA and FSA deductions are treated, so this calculator follows the federal treatment while we confirm it.

Things to know about South Carolina paychecks

Withholding hasn't caught up with the 2026 rate cut. The tax rates were lowered retroactively in 2026, but employers still use the withholding formula published in 2025. (Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, Information Letter #26-20 (Act 110 of 2026))
Final pay within 48 hours. However your job ends, final wages are due within 48 hours or by the next payday, no more than 30 days later. (Source: South Carolina Code of Laws Title 41 Chapter 10, Payment of Wages)
Zero allowances means no standard deduction. If you claim no allowances on the SC W-4, your employer withholds without any allowance or standard deduction. (Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, WH-1603F Formula for Computing South Carolina 2026 Withholding Tax (Rev. 11/4/25))

Federal taxes on every paycheck

Every US paycheck has the same three federal deductions, whichever state you work in. Together, Social Security and Medicare are called FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes.

Federal income tax withholding. Withholding is tax your employer takes out of each paycheck and sends to the IRS on your behalf. The amount depends on your pay and your Form W-4, using the IRS method in Publication 15-T. It is an estimate of your yearly tax; you settle the difference when you file your return.
Social Security. 6.2% of your wages, up to the wage base of $184,500 for the year. The wage base is the most pay that Social Security tax applies to.
Medicare. 1.45% of all your wages, with no limit. Once your pay from one employer passes $200,000 in a year, your employer also withholds an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on the amount above it.

Source: IRS Publication 15 (2026), (Circular E), Employer's Tax Guide.

Ways to change your paycheck

To change South Carolina withholding, file a new SC W-4. Withholding must be based on allowances rather than a flat amount, though you can ask for an extra amount each paycheck.

If you expect a large refund because of the 2026 rate cut, more allowances on your SC W-4 can bring your withholding closer to the new rates.

Update your Form W-4. Claiming dependents, checking the Step 2 box or asking for extra withholding changes how much federal tax comes out of each paycheck. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator can help you fill it in.
Pre-tax deductions. Money you put into a traditional 401(k), an HSA or employer health insurance comes out before federal income tax, so your take-home pay drops by less than the amount you save.
Bonuses. Employers often withhold federal tax on a bonus paid separately at a flat rate. Add a bonus under More options to see it.

South Carolina payroll rules

Minimum wage: South Carolina has no state minimum wage law, so covered employers must pay the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour. (Source: US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026))
Overtime: South Carolina has no separate overtime law in the US Department of Labor's state table, so federal rules apply: time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek. (Source: US Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026))
How often you must be paid: State law doesn't set a pay schedule, but employers with five or more employees must give written notice of the regular payday and pay on it. (Source: South Carolina Code of Laws Title 41 Chapter 10, Payment of Wages)
Final paycheck: When employment ends for any reason, wages are due within 48 hours or by the next regular payday, which may not be more than 30 days later. (Source: South Carolina Code of Laws Title 41 Chapter 10, Payment of Wages)

For employers in South Carolina

State unemployment tax: Employers pay unemployment tax on the first $14,000 of each employee's wages, with new employers at 1.00%. (Source: US Department of Labor, Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, January 2026)
New hire reporting: Employers must report new hires within 20 days. (Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, SC W-4 2026 (Rev. 12/5/25))
State income tax withholding: Employers paying wages in South Carolina are withholding agents and register for a withholding account through MyDORWAY. (Source: South Carolina Department of Revenue, Withholding)

Employers use either the WH-1603 wage-bracket tables or the WH-1603F formula; both were published for 2026 before the rate cut.

Compare South Carolina with neighboring states

Take-home pay on a $60,000 salary, single filer, paid bi-weekly, no pre-tax deductions
			Per paycheck
North Carolina	$1,924	$48,466	$1,864.07
Georgia	$2,246	$48,144	$1,851.70
South Carolina	$2,284	$48,106	$1,850.23

Paycheck calculators for neighboring states: Georgia, North Carolina.

Most-searched state paycheck calculators

South Carolina paycheck FAQ

What are South Carolina's tax rates in 2026?

After Act 110: 1.99% on income up to $30,000 and 5.21% above, retroactive to January 1, 2026. Withholding still uses the earlier formula, which tops out at 6%.

Why might I get a bigger South Carolina refund for 2026?

Because withholding tables haven't been updated for the retroactive rate cut, many paychecks have more withheld than the new rates require.

How many allowances should I claim on the SC W-4?

The SC W-4 worksheet counts you, a spouse if filing jointly, head of household status and dependents. Each allowance lowers withheld wages by $5,000.

When do I get my final paycheck in South Carolina?

Within 48 hours or by the next regular payday, no later than 30 days after you leave.

What is the minimum wage in South Carolina?

South Carolina has no state minimum wage, so the federal $7.25 an hour applies to covered employers.

Is overtime taxed more in South Carolina?

No. Overtime is taxed at the same rates as your other wages; a larger paycheck can mean more withholding that period.

Sources and methodology

Every rate and limit on this page comes from the official sources below, checked on 2026-11-03. Read how our paycheck calculator works for the calculation order and its limits.