South Carolina paycheck taxes at a glance (2026)
| State income tax | Two rates since a 2026 reform — 1.99% on the first $30,000 of taxable income and 5.21% above — the same for every filing status |
|---|---|
| Deductions & credits | The SC income adjusted deduction of $15,000 (single) or $30,000 (married filing jointly) |
| State payroll taxes | None paid by employees |
| Local income taxes | None |
| Federal (every state) | 2026 brackets from 10% to 37%; Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500; Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on wages over $200,000 |
| Sales tax | 7.49% average combined rate — South Carolina sales tax calculator |
How South Carolina taxes your paycheck
Two rates since a 2026 reform — 1.99% on the first $30,000 of taxable income and 5.21% above — the same for every filing status. The calculation starts from federal adjusted gross income (federal standard and itemized deductions no longer apply), and filers get the SC income adjusted deduction of $15,000 (single) or $30,000 (married filing jointly). Employers withhold it each payday using the state's withholding formula, so a pay stub can differ a little from the annual tax estimated here; any difference settles when you file your South Carolina return.
Worked example: $65,000 salary in South Carolina
A single filer paid every two weeks (26 paychecks), with no 401(k) or health deductions — the calculator's starting values:
| Line | Per paycheck | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $2,500.00 | $65,000.00 |
| Federal income tax | −$216.15 | −$5,620.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | −$155.00 | −$4,030.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | −$36.25 | −$942.50 |
| South Carolina income tax | −$76.68 | −$1,993.80 |
| Take-home pay | $2,015.91 | $52,413.70 |
Federal: $65,000 − $16,100 standard deduction = $48,900 taxable, which the 2026 single brackets tax at $5,620.00.
South Carolina: $65,000 − $8,190 SC income adjusted deduction = $56,810 taxable; the brackets give $1,993.80 (3.07% of pay).
All taxes together take 19.4% of gross pay, leaving $52,413.70.
Take-home pay at other salaries in South Carolina
| Salary | Single, per year | Single, biweekly | SC income tax | Total tax rate | Married jointly, per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $33,823 | $1,300.87 | $498 | 15.4% | $35,961 |
| $50,000 | $41,356 | $1,590.61 | $999 | 17.3% | $43,997 |
| $65,000 | $52,414 | $2,015.91 | $1,994 | 19.4% | $55,730 |
| $80,000 | $62,122 | $2,389.29 | $2,988 | 22.3% | $67,001 |
| $100,000 | $74,936 | $2,882.15 | $4,244 | 25.1% | $81,745 |
| $150,000 | $106,942 | $4,113.15 | $6,849 | 28.7% | $116,904 |
Standard deduction only, with no pre-tax deductions or dependents and no local tax. The total tax rate (single) includes federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax and state payroll contributions.
South Carolina compared with nearby states
On a $65,000 salary (single, biweekly), South Carolina ranks 20 of 51 for take-home pay, where 1 keeps the most. Georgia and North Carolina would leave less.
Local income taxes are left out, except Maryland's county tax, which every resident pays (3.20% used here).
| State | State & county income tax | State payroll taxes | Take-home per year | vs. South Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | $1,994 | $0 | $52,414 | — |
| North Carolina | $2,085 | $0 | $52,323 | −$91 |
| Georgia | $2,495 | $0 | $51,913 | −$501 |
Good to know about South Carolina paychecks
- South Carolina's 2026 tax reform (Act 110) replaced the 0%/3%/6% brackets with 1.99% and 5.21% rates and swapped the federal standard deduction for an SC deduction that phases out between $40,000 and $95,000 of income for single filers.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $65,000 a year after taxes in South Carolina?
About $52,414 a year, or $2,015.91 per biweekly paycheck, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after $5,620 of federal income tax, $4,973 of Social Security and Medicare and $1,994 of South Carolina income tax. A married couple filing jointly on the same salary keeps about $55,730.
Does South Carolina have a state income tax?
Yes. Two rates since a 2026 reform — 1.99% on the first $30,000 of taxable income and 5.21% above — the same for every filing status. On a $65,000 salary a single filer owes about $1,994 a year, 3.07% of pay.
What else is taken out of a paycheck in South Carolina?
Nothing else statewide: South Carolina has no employee-paid disability, paid-leave or unemployment payroll tax, so the other deductions are federal taxes and whatever you elect, such as retirement savings or health premiums.
Do cities or counties in South Carolina tax wages?
No. Local governments in South Carolina do not tax employees' wages, so the state-level estimate is complete apart from your own deductions.
Is take-home pay higher in South Carolina or nearby states?
On a $65,000 single salary, South Carolina ranks 20 of 51 for take-home pay at $52,414. None of its neighbors leaves more, while Georgia ($51,913) and North Carolina ($52,323) leave less.
Estimates only — not tax advice. Actual withholding depends on your federal Form W-4, any South Carolina withholding certificate, pre-tax benefits and year-to-date wages. South Carolina income tax figures: South Carolina Act 110 of 2026 (H.4216); SCDOR Information Letter #26-20. Payroll contributions: sources listed above. Checked October 2026.