Find out exactly how much you take home from every Virginia paycheck — with accurate 2026 state tax brackets, standard deduction, personal exemptions, and federal withholding built in.
| Item | Annual | Per Period |
|---|---|---|
| Income | ||
| Gross Pay | ||
| Pre-Tax Deductions | ||
| Pre-Tax Deductions | ||
| Federal Taxes | ||
| Federal Income Tax | ||
| Social Security (6.2%) | ||
| Medicare (1.45%) | ||
| Virginia State Tax | ||
| VA Income Tax (2%–5.75%) | ||
| ✅ Net Take-Home Pay | ||
⚠️ Estimates only. Reflects 2026 Virginia and federal law. Pre-tax deductions reduce federal and state taxable income. Not tax advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
Virginia's graduated income tax system means more of your income is taxed at progressively higher rates. Knowing how the brackets, standard deduction, and personal exemptions work together is key to understanding your real take-home pay.
Applies to all Virginia taxable income above $17,000. Most working Virginians hit this rate on the majority of their earnings.
For single filers in 2026 (permanently increased). Married filing jointly: $17,500. Reduces your Virginia taxable income directly.
Per exemption claimed on Form VA-4. Single with no dependents: 1 exemption ($930 off taxable income). Per § 58.1-322.03.
Virginia has no state disability insurance or paid family leave payroll tax — unlike CA, NJ, NY, or MA. More take-home for Virginians.
Virginia uses four tax brackets that apply to all filers regardless of filing status. The brackets are famously narrow — the top rate of 5.75% kicks in at just $17,000 of taxable income, a threshold unchanged since 2004.
| VA Taxable Income | Tax Rate | Tax on This Portion |
|---|---|---|
| First $3,000 | 2% | $0 – $60 |
| $3,001 – $5,000 | 3% | Up to $60 more ($120 total) |
| $5,001 – $17,000 | 5% | Up to $600 more ($720 total) |
| Over $17,000 | 5.75% | $720 + 5.75% on excess |
Virginia permanently increased its standard deduction as part of H.B. 1600, signed by Governor Youngkin in May 2025. For 2026, the deduction is $8,750 for single filers and $17,500 for married couples filing jointly. This is a meaningful reduction in your Virginia taxable income compared to previous years when the deduction was $8,000/$16,000.
Virginia is one of the few remaining states to use a traditional personal exemption system for withholding. Under Code of Virginia § 58.1-322.03, you get a $930 deduction for each exemption claimed on Form VA-4:
Unlike the federal W-4 (which no longer uses allowances since 2020), Virginia's VA-4 still uses the traditional exemption count. Most employees haven't revisited their VA-4 in years — check yours to make sure your withholding is accurate.
Virginia recognizes pre-tax deductions that reduce your state taxable income. Traditional 401(k) contributions, employer-sponsored health insurance premiums, and FSA/HSA contributions all reduce your Virginia adjusted income before the standard deduction and exemptions are applied — compounding your tax savings.
At the 5.75% marginal rate, every $1,000 in pre-tax contributions saves you $57.50 in Virginia taxes alone, on top of your federal savings.
Deep dives into Virginia tax law, payroll strategy, and take-home pay optimization.
A complete breakdown of VA's 4-bracket system, new standard deduction, personal exemptions, and the VA-4 form — and what it means for your paycheck.
Read Article →401(k), HSA, FSA — see exactly how much each contribution saves a Virginia employee at the 5.75% marginal rate and different income levels.
View All Articles →A paycheck-by-paycheck comparison of Virginia, Maryland, and DC income taxes — which state wins for workers at $60k, $100k, and $150k?
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