How the Florida Paycheck Calculator Works

This calculator breaks down your Florida paycheck by accounting for federal income tax and FICA taxes (Social Security and Medicare). Florida is one of nine states with no state income tax, which means you keep significantly more of your paycheck compared to high-tax states like California, New York, or Illinois.

The calculation follows this formula:

Here’s what happens. Your gross pay gets reduced first by any pre-tax deductions (401(k), health insurance, HSA). That gives you taxable income. Federal income tax applies using 2025 IRS tax brackets based on your filing status and allowances. Social Security tax takes 6.2% of gross pay up to the annual wage cap of $176,100. Medicare tax takes 1.45% of all wages, plus an additional 0.9% on earnings over $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married). No state tax gets deducted because Florida has none.

What’s left is your net pay. That’s what hits your bank account.

Florida’s No-Tax Advantage

How Much You Save vs. Other States

Florida’s zero state income tax creates massive savings. A $75,000 salary in Florida nets you roughly $5,000-7,000 more annually than the same salary in California or New York. A $150,000 salary saves you $12,000-18,000 per year. High earners see even bigger gaps. Someone making $300,000 keeps an extra $30,000-40,000 annually compared to living in California.

These savings compound over time. Work in Florida for 10 years making $100,000 annually, and you keep roughly $80,000-100,000 more compared to California. That’s a down payment on a house, fully funded retirement accounts, or college tuition for your kids.

Where Florida Gets Revenue Instead

Florida doesn’t tax income, but it makes up for it through higher property taxes (averaging 0.98% of home value), sales tax (6% state rate, up to 8.5% with local taxes), and tourism taxes. If you rent, you don’t pay property tax directly. If you own, expect $3,000-8,000 annually on a median-priced home. Sales tax hits everyday purchases, so your spending gets taxed even though your paycheck doesn’t.

The tradeoff works best for high earners who pay income, not sales tax on most wealth accumulation. If you make $200,000 and invest half, you save massive income tax and only pay sales tax on consumption.

Real Florida Paycheck Examples

Annual Salary	Gross Biweekly	Federal Tax	FICA	FL State Tax	Net Biweekly
$40,000	$1,538.46	$115.00	$117.69	$0.00	$1,305.77
$60,000	$2,307.69	$230.00	$176.54	$0.00	$1,901.15
$80,000	$3,076.92	$380.00	$235.38	$0.00	$2,461.54
$100,000	$3,846.15	$530.00	$294.23	$0.00	$3,021.92
$150,000	$5,769.23	$980.00	$441.35	$0.00	$4,347.88

Note: Examples assume single filing status, 1 allowance, no pre-tax deductions. Actual amounts vary based on individual circumstances.

Understanding Your Florida Income

Gross vs. Net Pay in Florida

Even without state income tax, you still lose 20-30% of gross pay to federal taxes and FICA. A $100,000 salary nets roughly $76,000 in Florida after federal taxes. That same salary in California nets only $68,000-70,000 because of the 9.3% state tax hit. The gap is real, but federal taxes still take a significant chunk.

Always budget using net pay, not gross. Your landlord, car dealer, and credit card company don’t care about gross income. They care about what actually hits your account.

Federal Tax Still Applies

Some people moving to Florida think they’ll pay zero taxes. Wrong. Federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare still apply. If you’re in the 22% federal bracket, you’re paying 22% federal income tax plus 7.65% FICA (total 29.65%) on most of your income. The savings come from avoiding the extra 5-13% state tax that other states charge on top of federal.

Benefits vs. Cash Pay

Pre-tax benefits (401(k), health insurance, HSA) reduce federal taxable income, saving you money even in Florida. If you’re in the 22% federal bracket, every $1,000 contributed to a 401(k) saves you $220 in federal tax plus $76.50 in FICA. That’s $296.50 in tax savings per $1,000 contributed. Max out your 401(k) ($23,500 in 2025), and you save roughly $7,000 in taxes annually.

Florida vs. Other States Comparison

State	State Tax Rate	$100k Net Pay	vs. Florida
Florida	0%	$76,000	Baseline
Texas	0%	$76,000	Same
California	~9.3%	$69,000	-$7,000
New York	~6.5%	$71,000	-$5,000
Illinois	4.95%	$72,000	-$4,000

Florida ties with Texas, Washington, Nevada, Tennessee, South Dakota, Wyoming, Alaska, and New Hampshire as states with zero income tax. These states rely on other revenue sources (property tax, sales tax, natural resource extraction) instead of taxing wages.

Edge Cases and Common Questions

What If I Move to Florida Mid-Year?

You pay state tax only to states where you earned income while residing there. If you move from New York to Florida in July, your first six months of income gets taxed by New York. Your last six months are Florida income (no state tax). File a part-year resident return with your old state. Update your W-4 with your employer once you establish Florida residency so they stop withholding for your old state.

What If I Work Remotely for a Company in Another State?

You pay taxes where you physically work, not where your employer is located. If you live in Florida and work remotely for a California company, you pay zero state income tax because you’re a Florida resident. California can’t tax you for work performed in Florida. Your employer should withhold based on your state of residence (Florida), not theirs.

What If My Bonus Is Irregular?

Bonuses get withheld at 22% federal (supplemental wage rate) regardless of your actual tax bracket. If you’re in the 12% bracket, you’ll get the extra 10% back at tax time. If you’re in the 32% bracket, you’ll owe more. Florida doesn’t tax bonuses, so you avoid the 5-10% state tax hit that most states charge on supplemental wages.

What If I Max Out Social Security?

Social Security tax caps at $176,100 in wages for 2025. Once you hit that threshold, Social Security tax stops for the rest of the year. Your paychecks get 6.2% bigger after that. High earners making $200,000+ see this bump around late September or early October. Medicare has no cap, so you keep paying 1.45% (plus 0.9% additional on high incomes) all year.

What If Taxes Increase at the Federal Level?

Federal tax rates could change if Congress passes new tax legislation. If your bracket jumps from 22% to 25%, expect your net pay to drop by roughly 3%. Florida residents are insulated from state tax increases because there’s no state income tax to increase. Other states can (and do) raise state tax rates, but Florida can’t tax what doesn’t exist.

What If I’m Self-Employed in Florida?

Self-employed individuals pay both the employee and employer portions of FICA (15.3% total instead of 7.65%). But you still pay zero Florida state income tax. Compare that to California where self-employed people pay 15.3% FICA plus 9.3-13.3% state tax. Florida self-employment saves you thousands annually compared to high-tax states.

Should You Move to Florida for Tax Reasons?

When It Makes Sense

Moving to Florida for tax savings makes sense if you’re a high earner (over $100,000), work remotely, or run a business with location flexibility. Saving $10,000-30,000 annually in state taxes adds up fast. Over a 20-year career, that’s $200,000-600,000 kept instead of sent to another state’s treasury.

It also makes sense if you’re retired. Retirement income (pensions, 401(k) withdrawals, Social Security) isn’t taxed by Florida. Many retirees move to Florida specifically to avoid state tax on retirement distributions. A $60,000 annual retirement income saves roughly $3,000-7,000 per year vs. states that tax retirement income.

When It Doesn’t Make Sense

Don’t move solely for taxes if you make under $50,000. The savings are only $2,000-4,000 annually at that income level. Cost of living differences, job opportunities, and quality of life matter more. Also consider that Florida has higher property insurance (hurricanes), no income tax deduction on federal returns, and potentially higher sales tax on everyday purchases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Florida Have Any State Taxes?

Florida has no personal income tax, but does have a 6% state sales tax (local jurisdictions can add up to 2.5% more). Florida also has property taxes averaging 0.98% of assessed home value. There’s also a corporate income tax (5.5%) on businesses. Just no tax on wages, salaries, or personal income.

Will Florida Ever Add a State Income Tax?

Highly unlikely. Florida’s constitution requires voter approval for new taxes. The state’s economy and population growth depend heavily on the no-tax reputation. Adding income tax would trigger massive backlash and likely fail at the ballot box. Politicians who propose income tax generally don’t get re-elected in Florida.

How Do I Establish Florida Residency for Tax Purposes?

Get a Florida driver’s license, register your car in Florida, register to vote in Florida, and spend more than 183 days per year in Florida. File a Declaration of Domicile with your county. Close ties to other states (keeping a home, driver’s license, voter registration elsewhere) can complicate residency claims. Establish clear, documentable residency to avoid disputes with your former state.

What If My Employer Is Based in a State With Income Tax?

Where your employer is located doesn’t matter. What matters is where you physically work. If you live and work in Florida, you pay Florida taxes (none). Your employer should withhold based on your residence, not theirs. Update your W-4 and provide proof of Florida residency if they’re withholding for a different state.

Are There Any Local Income Taxes in Florida?

No. Florida prohibits local income taxes. Some cities and counties add local sales taxes or impose tourist development taxes, but none can tax your wages or income. This differs from states like Ohio or Pennsylvania where cities can levy local income taxes on top of state taxes.

How Accurate Is This Calculator?

Very accurate for standard W-2 employees using 2025 federal tax tables and FICA rates. Where it might differ: unusual deductions, union dues, garnishments, or employer-specific withholding formulas. For precise numbers, check your actual paystub. Small differences (under $50 per check) are normal due to rounding.

Maximizing Your Florida Tax Advantage

Invest the Difference

If you save $8,000 annually by living in Florida instead of California, invest that $8,000. Compounded at 7% over 20 years, that’s roughly $330,000 in extra wealth. The tax savings alone can fund your retirement if you invest it consistently instead of inflating your lifestyle.

Max Pre-Tax Accounts

Even without state tax, federal tax still bites. Max your 401(k) ($23,500 in 2025), HSA ($4,300 single, $8,550 family), and traditional IRA if eligible. These reduce federal taxable income and save you 22-37% federal tax plus 7.65% FICA on contributed amounts.

Consider Roth Conversions

Florida residency creates a unique opportunity for Roth conversions. Convert traditional IRA or 401(k) money to Roth while living in Florida, and you only pay federal tax (no state tax on the conversion). This is especially valuable if you plan to retire in a state with income tax or if federal rates are low.