Tax & Paycheck Calculators
South Carolina Paycheck Tax Calculator
South Carolina just replaced its old 6-bracket system with two brackets for 2026 — this calculator reflects the new structure, not the outdated one you'll still find on many other sites.
Calculate your South Carolina take-home pay
Federal, FICA, and South Carolina's new 2026 two-bracket structure.
South Carolina has no local city income taxes. Approximates South Carolina's new SC Income Adjusted Deduction using the federal standard deduction as the taxable-income starting point — the actual SCIAD mechanics may differ slightly.
A genuinely new tax structure for 2026 — not the old one
| Bracket | Rate |
|---|---|
| $0 – $30,000 | 1.99% |
| Above $30,000 | 5.21% |
Unlike most states, South Carolina applies the same bracket structure to every filing status — there's no separate, wider bracket schedule for married couples filing jointly the way federal tax brackets work.
South Carolina starts from your federal AGI
South Carolina's income tax calculation begins with your federal adjusted gross income, then applies state-specific adjustments. As part of this same 2026 reform, the state introduced a new "SC Income Adjusted Deduction" (SCIAD) that replaces how federal standard and itemized deductions previously flowed through to the state return — a mechanism specific to this reform that's worth understanding if you itemize or have significant above-the-line deductions.
Why South Carolina is more retiree-friendly than the headline rate suggests
- Social Security is fully exempt from South Carolina income tax, regardless of income level.
- Military retirement pay receives a substantial exemption.
- Other retirement income qualifies for a separate deduction on top of the above.
- Long-term capital gains get a 44% exclusion, meaningfully lowering the effective rate on investment income compared to the headline bracket rates.
Combined with low property taxes, this makes South Carolina considerably more competitive for retirees and investors than its bracket structure alone would suggest.
South Carolina's 2026 two-bracket reform (1.99%/5.21%, $30,000 threshold) verified against the Tax Foundation's independent 2026 state tax rankings and PolicyEngine's detailed analysis of H.4216 (Act 110), which converged on matching figures. This is a planning estimate — the SCIAD deduction mechanics and dependent-specific exemptions aren't fully modeled; confirm your specific figures with the South Carolina Department of Revenue.
Frequently asked questions
Before you estimate your South Carolina paycheck.
What are South Carolina's tax brackets for 2026?
Two brackets: 1.99% on the first $30,000 of taxable income, and 5.21% on income above that — a major simplification from the prior six-bracket system that topped out at 6.4%.
Is South Carolina's top tax rate still 6.4% or 7%?
No — that reflects South Carolina's tax structure before the 2026 reform (H.4216/Act 110). The current top rate is 5.21%, applying to income above $30,000.
Does South Carolina tax Social Security?
No. Social Security benefits are fully exempt from South Carolina income tax at any income level.
Does South Carolina have local or city income taxes?
No. South Carolina has no city or local income taxes anywhere in the state — the state-level rate is the only income tax layer.
What is the SC Income Adjusted Deduction (SCIAD)?
A new South Carolina-specific deduction mechanism introduced as part of the 2026 tax reform, which changes how federal standard and itemized deductions are reflected on the state return. Confirm the specific mechanics with the South Carolina Department of Revenue if you itemize federally.