How Much Will My PTO Payout Be? 2026 PTO Calculator ★★★★★

How Much Will My PTO Payout Be? Complete 2026 Guide

The most common question when leaving a job is "how much will my PTO payout be?" Our PTO payout calculator 2026 provides the answer instantly, calculating gross value, tax withholding, and net take-home amount based on your state and salary. With over 75,000 monthly users, it's the most trusted tool for PTO cash out calculations in America.

PTO Payout Formula & Calculation

Gross Payout = Unused Hours × Hourly Rate. For 80 hours at $25/hour = $2,000 gross. Net Take-Home = Gross - (Federal Tax + State Tax + FICA). Federal tax is 22% flat rate for supplemental wages. FICA is 7.65% (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%). State tax varies from 0% (TX, FL) to 13.3% (CA). Total tax withholding typically ranges 30-45% of gross.

2026 Tax Rates for PTO Payout

Federal Withholding: 22% flat rate for supplemental wages under $1 million. If over $1M, rate is 37%. Social Security: 6.2% up to $168,600 annual wage base. Medicare: 1.45% (no cap). Additional Medicare: 0.9% for wages over $200k ($250k married). State Tax: Varies by state. California 9.3%, New York 6.85%, Texas 0%, Florida 0%, Illinois 4.95%.

PTO Payout Examples by State (2026)

Texas Employee: 80 hours × $30/hour = $2,400 gross. Federal $528 + State $0 + FICA $183.60 = $711.60 tax. Net = $1,688.40 (70.4% of gross). California Employee: 100 hours × $35/hour = $3,500 gross. Federal $770 + State $325.50 + FICA $267.75 = $1,363.25 tax. Net = $2,136.75 (61.1% of gross). New York Employee: 60 hours × $40/hour = $2,400 gross. Federal $528 + State $164.40 + FICA $183.60 = $876 tax. Net = $1,524 (63.5% of gross).

State PTO Payout Laws & Deadlines (2026)

California: Payout required. Deadline: Immediate if fired, 72 hours if quit. Penalties: Waiting time penalties up to 30 days pay. New York: Payout required. Deadline: Next regular payday. Penalties: Liquidated damages up to 25%. Illinois: Payout required. Deadline: Next payday. Penalties: Actual damages + attorney fees. Texas/Florida: No state law - follows company policy. Massachusetts/Colorado: Payout required, strict deadlines.

Frequently Asked Questions About PTO Payout

Why 75,000+ US Employees Trust This Calculator

This PTO payout calculator is built using 2026 IRS tax rates, state labor laws, and payroll practices. Over 75,000 US employees use it to calculate termination payouts, understand tax withholding, and plan their finances. No sign-up, completely free, and updated monthly. Last updated: June 1, 2026.

Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes. Actual withholding may vary based on your specific tax situation. Consult a tax professional.