Washington has no state income tax on wages.
Washington residents only need to worry about their federal W-4. Calculate your federal withholding to get started.
Note: No state income tax on wages in 2026. Capital gains above an exclusion ($278,000 for tax year 2025) are taxed at 7%, and 9.9% above $1 million of gain. A 9.9% tax on income over $1 million is scheduled to begin in 2028 (signed March 2026; being challenged in court).
With no state withholding, the only income tax taken from a Washington paycheck is federal. Your federal W-4 sets that amount, so the choices that matter are your filing status, whether a second job or working spouse needs Step 2, and any credits or extra withholding in Steps 3 and 4. Social Security and Medicare are withheld on top of it.
If you work in a different state than you live in, that state may still withhold tax from your pay. See the moving to a new state guide, the step-by-step W-4 walkthrough and the withholding calculator.
Calculate your exact federal withholding — takes about 2 minutes.
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What Washington workers need to know about their W-4
Washington does not tax wages in 2026, so there is no Washington income tax withholding and no state withholding form. The federal W-4 is the only income tax withholding form you control, so your W-4 settings decide whether you get a refund or owe in April.
What is taken out of a Washington paycheck
Besides federal income tax and FICA, Washington employers withhold two state premiums. Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) is 1.13% of wages in 2026, and employees pay 71.43% of it (about 0.81% of pay). The WA Cares Fund long-term care premium is 0.58% of gross wages with no Social Security-style cap, unless you have an approved exemption.
Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, and Medicare is 1.45% of all wages, plus an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000 ($250,000 for married filing jointly).
Washington's capital gains tax and the 2028 tax on high incomes
Washington's capital gains excise tax is 7% on the first $1 million of taxable capital gain and 9.9% above that, after an exclusion that was $278,000 for the 2025 tax year and is adjusted for inflation. It applies to gains from selling certain assets, not to wages.
In March 2026 Washington enacted a 9.9% tax on individual income above $1 million, beginning in calendar year 2028 (ESSB 6346). It does not change withholding on wages in 2026, and it has been challenged in court.
Washington W-4 FAQ
Does Washington have a state income tax?+
Not on wages in 2026. Washington has a capital gains excise tax, and a 9.9% tax on income above $1 million is scheduled to begin in 2028.
Do I need a state W-4 in Washington?+
No. Washington has no income tax withholding form because it doesn't withhold income tax from wages. You only fill out the federal Form W-4.
What is taken out of my Washington paycheck?+
Federal income tax from your W-4, Social Security and Medicare, the employee share of Paid Family & Medical Leave premiums (1.13% total in 2026, 71.43% paid by employees), and the 0.58% WA Cares premium unless you are exempt.
What is Washington's capital gains tax rate?+
7% on the first $1 million of taxable capital gain and 9.9% on gain above $1 million, after the annual exclusion ($278,000 for 2025).
Will the new millionaires tax affect my paycheck?+
The 9.9% tax on income above $1 million starts in 2028 and applies to income over that threshold, not to ordinary wages below it. It does not change 2026 withholding.
Estimate your Washington take-home pay
With no state income tax withheld, take-home depends on federal tax, FICA, and Washington's PFML and WA Cares premiums.
Open the Paycheck Calculator →