South Carolina Paycheck Calculator 2026
Estimate your take-home pay in South Carolina — federal tax, FICA and state tax calculated instantly, per paycheck, per month and per year.
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Income tax in South Carolina
South Carolina taxes wage income on a progressive schedule — 3 brackets running from 3% to 6% for single filers. This calculator applies South Carolina's real 2026 brackets, its standard deduction ($8,350 single / $16,700 married) and its personal exemption, so the state-tax line follows the actual schedule rather than a flat-rate guess.
South Carolina income tax brackets for 2026
Single filers. Each rate applies only to the income falling inside that band — these are marginal rates, not a flat rate on the whole salary.
| Taxable income over | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 | 0% |
| $3,640 | 3% |
| $18,230 | 6% |
State taxable income is your pay after South Carolina's standard deduction and personal exemption of $8,350 for a single filer ($16,700 married filing jointly).
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina is among the heaviest state income tax burdens in the country: a single filer on $100,000 hands over $4,843 to the state, the 10th highest of the 51 jurisdictions covered here. The closest comparisons are New York ($4,860), Illinois ($4,805) and Kansas ($4,780). The 6% top rate is marginal — it only bites on the last slice of income.
Worked example: $100,000 in South Carolina
Take a single filer on $100,000 in South Carolina. After the $8,350 standard deduction and personal exemption, state taxable income is $91,650:
| Income band | Rate | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $3,640 | 0% | $0 |
| $3,640 – $18,230 | 3% | $438 |
| $18,230 – $91,650 | 6% | $4,405 |
| Total state tax | — | $4,843 |
The effective rate works out to 4.8% of gross salary — far below the 6% top marginal rate, because only the last slice of income is taxed at that rate.
Frequently asked questions
Does South Carolina have a state income tax?
Yes. South Carolina taxes wage income on a progressive schedule with 3 brackets, from 3% to 6% for single filers. The top rate applies only to income above the highest threshold — it is a marginal rate, not a flat rate.
What is the income tax rate in South Carolina?
South Carolina's rates run from 3% to 6% for single filers, applied to income after the $8,350 standard deduction and personal exemption. A single filer on $100,000 pays about $4,843 — an effective rate of 4.8%, well below the 6% top rate.
How much is $75,000 after taxes in South Carolina?
About $58,250 per year in take-home pay for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions: federal income tax $7,670, FICA $5,738, and South Carolina state income tax $3,343.
I'm moving to South Carolina. What should I know about taxes?
South Carolina is one of the higher state income tax states — for a single filer on $100,000 it collects $4,843, the 10th highest of the 51 jurisdictions covered here. When comparing job offers, compare take-home pay rather than salary, and factor in property and sales taxes too.
How is take-home pay calculated?
Take-home pay equals gross pay minus federal income tax (IRS 2026 brackets and the $16,100 standard deduction), FICA (6.2% Social Security up to $184,500 plus 1.45% Medicare), and South Carolina state income tax. For South Carolina, state taxable income starts from your pay after the $8,350 standard deduction and personal exemption.
What is FICA tax in 2026?
FICA is 7.65% of wages: 6.2% Social Security on earnings up to the annual wage base ($184,500 for 2026) and 1.45% Medicare on all earnings, plus an extra 0.9% Medicare tax above $200,000 single / $250,000 married. FICA is federal and identical in every state.
Why does my actual paycheck differ from this estimate?
Real paychecks reflect your W-4 withholding choices and pre-tax benefits. For South Carolina, no local wage tax applies in this state, though school-district and municipal fees can still apply. This calculator is a planning estimate, not a payroll prediction.