Calculate your take-home pay in The Palmetto State. South Carolina income tax rate: 6%.
South Carolina has a simplified three-bracket progressive income tax for 2025 with rates of 0%, 3%, and 6%, reduced from 6.2% in 2024. The first $3,460 of taxable income is exempt. South Carolina conforms to the federal standard deduction.
| Item | Per Paycheck | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | - | - | - |
| Federal Income Tax | - | - | - |
| South Carolina State Tax | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Social Security | - | - | - |
| Medicare | - | - | - |
| 401(k) + Pre-Tax | - | - | - |
| Take-Home Pay | - | - | - |
South Carolina has a progressive income tax with a top rate of 6.4%. This calculator estimates your take-home pay after federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions. Enter your salary or hourly wage above to see a detailed breakdown of your paycheck.
South Carolina has a progressive system with rates from 0% (on income under $3,460) up to 6.4% (on income above $17,330 for 2026). Despite the relatively high top rate, the low cost of living, exemption of Social Security benefits, and generous retirement income deduction ($10,000 for those 65+) make South Carolina popular with retirees. The state does not have local income taxes.
Regardless of state taxes, all South Carolina workers pay federal income tax using the 2026 brackets: 10% on the first $11,925 of taxable income (single), 12% up to $48,475, 22% up to $103,350, 24% up to $197,300, 32% up to $250,525, 35% up to $626,350, and 37% on income above that. The standard deduction is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married filing jointly in 2026.
All workers in South Carolina pay Social Security tax at 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 (2026) and Medicare tax at 1.45% on all wages. An additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to wages over $200,000 for single filers. These federal payroll taxes apply uniformly regardless of which state you live in.
Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income for both federal and state purposes. Contributing to a 401(k) (up to $24,500 in 2026, plus $8,000 catch-up if 50+) lowers both your federal and SC state tax bill. Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions ($4,300 individual, $8,550 family in 2026) are also pre-tax. Review your W-4 withholding: if you receive a large refund each year, you may be overwithholding, which means less money in each paycheck. The Tax Bracket Calculator shows your federal marginal and effective rates.
South Carolina's income tax runs from 0% to 6.4%, but the effective rate for most earners is lower due to a generous deduction structure. The state has a below-average cost of living and has been growing rapidly, with Charleston and Greenville attracting significant corporate investment. Retirees benefit from exemptions on some retirement income.
South Carolina exempts the first $3,460 of taxable income entirely, and the state offers generous deductions for retirement income. For retirees, South Carolina is one of the most tax-friendly states in the Southeast. Working-age residents pay effective rates that are lower than the top marginal bracket suggests due to the graduated structure.