Virginia Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your take-home pay after federal and Virginia state taxes. Virginia uses progressive brackets from 2% to 5.75% with a standard deduction and personal exemptions. Free, instant, and always up to date.
Virginia Paycheck Calculator
2025 tax year · estimate
How Virginia taxes your paycheck
Virginia uses a progressive income tax system with 4 brackets ranging from 2% to 5.75%. Your employer calculates withholding by:
- Annualizing your gross pay
- Subtracting the standard deduction ($8,750 single / $17,500 MFJ)
- Subtracting personal exemptions ($930 each)
- Applying the progressive tax brackets
- Dividing by your number of pay periods
In addition to state income tax, Virginia employees also pay:
- Federal income tax (10%–37%)
- Social Security (6.2% up to $176,100)
- Medicare (1.45% + 0.9% over $200k)
Virginia does not have state-level payroll programs like NJ (UI/DI/FLI) or local earned income taxes like PA. This makes your VA paycheck somewhat simpler to calculate.
Virginia tax rates — all filers (2025)
Source: Virginia Department of Taxation. Same brackets for all filing statuses.
| Taxable Income | Rate | Tax Owed |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $3,000 | 2% | $0 + 2% of amount over $0 |
| $3,001 – $5,000 | 3% | $60 + 3% of amount over $3,000 |
| $5,001 – $17,000 | 5% | $120 + 5% of amount over $5,000 |
| Over $17,000 | 5.75% | $720 + 5.75% of amount over $17,000 |
Standard deduction & exemptions
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Standard deduction (single) | $8,750 |
| Standard deduction (married filing jointly) | $17,500 |
| Personal exemption (each) | $930 |
Example: $3,000 biweekly paycheck in Virginia
Scenario: Single, 1 exemption, $200 401(k), $150 health insurance
VA tax uses standard deduction ($8,750) and 1 exemption ($930). Amounts are per pay period.
Who uses this calculator
Virginia employees
Verify paycheck accuracy and understand VA state tax withholding.
DC-area workers
Virginia residents working in DC or Maryland — know your VA tax obligations.
Job seekers
Compare VA salary offers and understand take-home pay with the 5.75% top bracket.
Payroll admins
Cross-check VA withholding calculations including standard deduction and exemptions.
Military & federal employees
Large military and federal workforce in VA — verify your state tax withholding.
People relocating to VA
Understand Virginia's tax structure — no local income tax, moderate state rates.
Frequently asked questions
How is Virginia state income tax calculated?
Virginia uses a progressive tax system with 4 brackets: 2% on the first $3,000, 3% on $3,001–$5,000, 5% on $5,001–$17,000, and 5.75% on income over $17,000. Before applying brackets, your employer subtracts the standard deduction and personal exemptions.
What is Virginia's standard deduction?
For 2025, the standard deduction is $8,750 for single filers and $17,500 for married filing jointly. This is subtracted from your annual wages before applying the tax brackets.
How do Virginia personal exemptions work?
Each exemption reduces your taxable income by $930. You typically claim 1 for yourself, 1 for your spouse (if applicable), and 1 for each dependent. These are claimed on your VA-4 form.
Is 401(k) pre-tax for Virginia state income tax?
Yes. 401(k) contributions are pre-tax for both federal and Virginia state income tax. They reduce your taxable income for both calculations, unlike Pennsylvania where 401(k) doesn't reduce state tax.
Does Virginia have local income taxes?
Virginia does not have local earned income taxes like Pennsylvania. However, Virginia localities can levy other taxes such as personal property tax and meals tax. These are not withheld from your paycheck.
How do I change my Virginia withholding?
Submit a new Form VA-4 to your employer. You can adjust your exemptions, claim the standard or itemized deduction, or request additional withholding.
How accurate is this calculator?
This calculator provides a close estimate based on 2025 tax rates and standard withholding formulas. Your actual paycheck may vary slightly based on your employer's payroll system, year-to-date earnings, and VA-4 elections.
How does Virginia compare to neighboring states?
Virginia's top rate is 5.75%, which is moderate. Maryland has a top rate of 5.75% plus local income taxes (up to 3.2%). DC ranges from 4%–10.75%. West Virginia is 2.36%–5.12%. North Carolina is a flat 4.5%.