How South Carolina taxes your paycheck in 2026
South Carolina uses a graduated income tax with 2 brackets, from 3% at the bottom to 6% at the top, applied after a $8,350 single-filer deduction/exemption. South Carolina's top rate is temporarily 6% (from 6.2%) through June 30, 2026.
Federal deductions are the same everywhere: income tax on your wages after the $16,100 standard deduction (single filers), 6.2% Social Security on the first $184,500 of wages, and 1.45% Medicare on everything.
Example take-home pay in South Carolina
Single filer, 2026 rates, standard deduction, no pre-tax benefits or local taxes:
| Salary | Federal tax | SC state tax | Take-home / yr | Per biweekly check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $1,843 | $40,512 | $1,558 |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $3,343 | $58,250 | $2,240 |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $4,843 | $74,337 | $2,859 |
Frequently asked questions
+How much is taken out of a $75,000 paycheck in South Carolina?
For a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026: about $7,670 federal income tax, $5,738 in Social Security and Medicare, and roughly $3,343 in South Carolina state income tax — leaving take-home pay of about $58,250 a year, or $2,240 every two weeks.
+What is the South Carolina state income tax rate for 2026?
South Carolina uses a graduated income tax with 2 brackets, from 3% at the bottom to 6% at the top, applied after a $8,350 single-filer deduction/exemption. South Carolina's top rate is temporarily 6% (from 6.2%) through June 30, 2026.
+Why is my actual paycheck different from this estimate?
This calculator assumes the standard deduction, single-filer state parameters, and no dependents, credits or local taxes. Employer withholding also follows your W-4, which may over- or under-withhold relative to your final tax bill.
+Do 401(k) contributions reduce state tax too?
In South Carolina, traditional 401(k) and most pre-tax benefit contributions reduce your state taxable income as well as federal. They do not reduce Social Security or Medicare tax.
Sources: IRS 2026 federal parameters; state rates and brackets as of January 1, 2026 compiled from state statutes and the Tax Foundation. Estimates only — see our terms.