South Carolina Paycheck Calculator (2026)
Estimate your South Carolina take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and the new 2026 South Carolina income tax.
South Carolina income tax in 2026
South Carolina changed its income tax for 2026. There are now two rates: 1.99% on income below $30,000 and 5.21% above that, with a $966 adjustment so the two meet smoothly.
South Carolina no longer follows the federal standard deduction. It introduced the SC Income Adjusted Deduction of $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married couples, which can shrink at higher incomes and is not fully modeled here. Taxable income now starts from federal adjusted gross income.
Example take-home pay in South Carolina
Single filer, no 401(k), paid every 2 weeks:
South Carolina income tax brackets for 2026
These are the rates applied to your South Carolina taxable income, which is your pay after the deductions and exemptions described above.
| Single filers | Rate | Married filing jointly | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $30,000 | 1.99% | Up to $30,000 | 1.99% |
| Over $30,000 | 5.21% | Over $30,000 | 5.21% |
South Carolina take-home pay at different salaries
Estimated yearly figures for a single filer with no 401(k), using the same rules as the calculator above.
| Salary | Federal tax | Social Security + Medicare | South Carolina taxes | Take-home / year | Every 2 weeks | Total tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $1,420 | $2,295 | $299 | $25,987 | $999 | 13.4% |
| $50,000 | $3,820 | $3,825 | $858 | $41,498 | $1,596 | 17% |
| $75,000 | $7,670 | $5,738 | $2,160 | $59,433 | $2,286 | 20.8% |
| $100,000 | $13,170 | $7,650 | $3,463 | $75,718 | $2,912 | 24.3% |
| $150,000 | $24,734 | $11,475 | $6,068 | $107,724 | $4,143 | 28.2% |
How to keep more of your paycheck in South Carolina
On a $60,000 salary, putting 5% ($3,000) into a traditional 401(k) reduces your yearly take-home pay by about $2,484 (roughly $96 less every 2 weeks). That is less than the full $3,000 because the contribution saves about $360 in federal income tax and about $156 in South Carolina tax. The tax you avoid stays in your pocket instead of going to the government.
Filing status also matters. A married couple filing jointly with one $60,000 income takes home about $51,973 a year in South Carolina, compared with $49,012 for a single filer, mostly because of the larger standard deduction and wider tax brackets.
How this calculator works
We subtract your 401(k) contribution and the 2026 standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly), then apply the 2026 federal brackets (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32). Social Security is 6.2% up to $184,500 of pay, and Medicare is 1.45% (plus 0.9% on high pay). South Carolina applies its new $15,000 or $30,000 deduction and the two-rate schedule from the Department of Revenue.
South Carolina paycheck questions
What are South Carolina's 2026 income tax rates?
1.99% below $30,000 and 5.21% above.
Did South Carolina change its rules?
Yes. 2026 brought new rates and its own deduction.
Is there local income tax?
No.
Rates last updated: October 2026. This is an estimate and does not include credits, benefits or W-4 changes. Official source: South Carolina Department of Revenue.