How to Calculate Bonuses for Employees. To calculate a bonus based on your employee's salary, just multiply the employee's salary by your bonus percentage. For example, a monthly salary of $3,000 with a 10% bonus would be $300.
The federal bonus tax withholding rate is typically 22%. However, employers could instead combine a bonus with your regular wages as though it's one of your usual paychecks—with your usual tax amount withheld. There are ways to reduce the tax impact of your bonus.
Bonuses are considered earned income just like your salary or other work wages, which means they're subject to ordinary income tax rates. When it comes time to file your annual tax return, you'll see your bonus amount combined with other earned income and listed in Box 1 of your W-2.
The federal bonus tax withholding rate is typically 22%. However, employers could instead combine a bonus with your regular wages as though it's one of your usual paychecks—with your usual tax amount withheld.
Your total bonuses for the year get taxed at a 22% flat rate if they're under $1 million. If your total bonuses are higher than $1 million, the first $1 million gets taxed at 22%, and every dollar over that gets taxed at 37%. Your employer must use the percentage method if the bonus is over $1 million.
How to Calculate Bonuses for Employees. To calculate a bonus based on your employee's salary, just multiply the employee's salary by your bonus percentage. For example, a monthly salary of $3,000 with a 10% bonus would be $300.
Your employer can withhold taxes in one of two ways: the percentage method or the aggregate method. The percentage method withholds taxes on your bonus at a 22% rate. The aggregate method is more complex and involves adding your bonus to your regular paycheck and withholding taxes on the total.