# WA Cares calculator (2026)

WA Cares is a 0.58% employee premium on Washington wages (WA_CARES_RATE_2026), separate from income tax. Washington has no state income tax on wages. This page preloads Washington, $80,000, with WA Cares on, and compares the same wage with the box off.

The engine applies 0.58% to wages when the state is WA and the checkbox is on (default). Some workers qualify for an exemption; this site does not decide who qualifies. Uncheck the box if payroll treats you as exempt. This is not a long-term-services-and-supports legal explainer — see methodology for the rate source and known gaps.

Federal tax still uses IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32. Social Security is 6.2% up to $184,500. Capital-gains tax is outside this W-2 sketch. On an $80,000 wage, WA Cares is $464 a year if the line is on ($80,000 × 0.0058). Figures reviewed October 2, 2026.

## Sample estimates

### $80k WA single, WA Cares on (default)

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $8,770.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $0.00
- Net / take-home: $64,646.00 (effective tax 19.2%)
- Per paycheck net: $64,646.00 (1 periods)

### $80k WA single, WA Cares off

- Gross: $80,000.00
- Federal income tax: $8,770.00
- Social Security: $4,960.00
- Medicare: $1,160.00
- State income tax: $0.00
- Net / take-home: $65,110.00 (effective tax 18.6%)
- Per paycheck net: $65,110.00 (1 periods)

Label: engine estimates, not pay stubs.

## FAQ

### Is WA Cares a state income tax?

No. Washington has no state income tax on wages. WA Cares is a separate 0.58% employee premium in this product when the state is WA.

### Am I exempt?

We do not decide. An exemption exists; uncheck Include WA Cares if your payroll treats you as exempt. Confirm with the employer or the state program.

### Where is the rate documented?

Methodology lists WA Cares 0.58% as an optional Washington line. This page only shows the paycheck effect.

## Related

- [Washington paycheck calculator](https://takehomecash.com/washington-paycheck-calculator/index.md)
- [No state income tax states](https://takehomecash.com/no-state-income-tax-states/index.md)
- [Methodology](https://takehomecash.com/methodology/index.md)