What is the 2025 Virginia income tax rate?

Virginia uses a graduated income tax system with four brackets ranging from 2% to 5.75%. The top rate of 5.75% applies to taxable income over $17,000, meaning most full-time employees pay this rate on the majority of their income.

Does Virginia tax remote work income?

Yes. If you live in Virginia, all your income is subject to Virginia state tax, regardless of where your employer is located. If you live in another state but physically work in Virginia, you generally pay Virginia tax on income earned within the state, unless a reciprocity agreement applies (like with MD, DC, WV, PA, or KY).

What is the Virginia standard deduction for 2025?

For 2025, the Virginia standard deduction is $8,500 for single filers and $17,000 for married couples filing jointly. This deduction reduces your taxable income before tax rates are applied.

Are 401(k) contributions tax-deductible in Virginia?

Yes. Contributions to a traditional 401(k) or 403(b) are made pre-tax, meaning they reduce both your federal and Virginia taxable income. Since Virginia's top tax bracket starts low ($17,000), reducing your taxable income is an effective way to lower your state tax bill.

Does Virginia tax Social Security benefits?

No. Virginia does not tax Social Security benefits. When calculating your Virginia taxable income, you subtract any Social Security benefits that were included in your federal adjusted gross income.

Virginia Paycheck Calculator | Free VA Take-Home Pay

If you live or work in Virginia, understanding your paycheck involves more than just glancing at the final number. With the 2025 tax changes in effect, your take-home pay is influenced by updated federal brackets, Virginia's specific graduated tax system, and FICA limits. Whether you're starting a new job in Richmond, negotiating a salary in Northern Virginia (NoVA), or just planning your annual budget, this guide breaks down exactly where your money goes.

Our Virginia Paycheck Calculator solves the complexity of estimating your net pay. It factors in your filing status, pay frequency, and the latest deductions to give you a precise look at your earnings—so you're never surprised on payday.

You might also want to compare your take-home pay with Maryland, estimate taxes on a bonus, or plan your 401(k) contributions.

How Your Virginia Paycheck is Calculated

Your net pay is the result of a simple but brutal formula: Gross Pay - (Federal Taxes + State Taxes + FICA + Benefits) = Net Pay. Let's dissect each component for 2025.

1. Federal Income Tax

This is usually your largest deduction. It's calculated based on your W-4 information and the 2025 IRS tax brackets. The US uses a "progressive" system, meaning you pay higher rates only on income that falls into higher brackets.

2025 Update: The IRS expanded the tax brackets by ~2.8% to account for inflation. This is good news—it means more of your income stays in lower tax brackets compared to last year.

2. Virginia State Income Tax

Virginia's tax system is straightforward but hits the top rate quickly. Regardless of your filing status (Single or Married), you face the same brackets:

Income $0 – $3,0002.00%
Income $3,000 – $5,0003.00%
Income $5,000 – $17,0005.00%
Income over $17,0005.75%

Unlike some states, Virginia does not have local city or county income taxes (with very rare exceptions for business licenses). This makes calculating your liability easier—it's just Federal + State.

3. FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)

These are federally mandated payroll taxes that fund social safety nets:

Social Security (6.2%): For 2025, this applies to the first $176,100 of your earnings. If you earn more than that, you stop paying this tax for the rest of the year—a nice "raise" in your Q4 paychecks!
Medicare (1.45%): This applies to all your income, with no cap. High earners (over $200k single / $250k married) pay an additional 0.9% surtax.

Real-World Examples: What Does it Look Like?

Scenario 1: The New Grad in Arlington

Bi-Weekly Pay

Sarah earns $60,000/year. She contributes 5% to her 401(k) and pays $100/mo for health insurance.

Gross Pay

$2,307

Fed Tax

-$215

VA Tax

-$98

Take Home

$1,768

Scenario 2: The Senior Manager in Richmond

Monthly Pay

Mark is married and earns $140,000/year. He maxes out his HSA ($8,550 family) and contributes 10% to 401(k).

Gross Pay

$11,666

Fed Tax

-$1,048

VA Tax

-$512

Take Home

$7,955

3 Tax Hacks for Virginia Residents

Max out Pre-Tax Deductions: Virginia's flat 5.75% top rate starts very low ($17k). This means every dollar you put into a 401(k) or HSA saves you not just 22-24% in federal tax, but also a guaranteed 5.75% in state tax. That's an instant ~30% return on your savings.
529 Plans: Virginia offers a state tax deduction for contributions to a Virginia 529 plan—up to $4,000 per account, per year. If you have kids, this is a direct way to lower your state tax bill.
Check Your Withholding (Form VA-4): If you consistently get a large refund from Virginia, you're giving the state an interest-free loan. Use our calculator to adjust your allowances on Form VA-4 so you get that money in your paycheck instead.

Virginia Labor Laws Impacting Your Paycheck

Pay Frequency

Virginia law generally requires employers to pay salaried employees at least once a month and hourly employees at least twice a month (bi-weekly or semi-monthly). However, many employers choose bi-weekly for everyone for consistency.

Overtime Rules

Virginia follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Non-exempt employees must be paid 1.5x their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Virginia recently strengthened its own overtime laws to allow employees to sue in state court for wage theft.

Pay Stubs

Employers must provide a pay stub (either paper or electronic) that clearly shows:

Gross Wages
Rate of Pay
Hours Worked (if hourly)
Deductions (Taxes, Insurance, etc.)

* Note: Virginia's minimum wage is set to gradually increase. As of Jan 1, 2025, ensure your gross pay reflects at least the current state minimum ($12.00/hr, subject to legislative updates).

The "Two Virginias": Cost of Living Reality

A $100,000 salary in Arlington or Alexandria buys a vastly different lifestyle than it does in Roanoke or Lynchburg.

Northern Virginia (NoVA)

• Housing: Among the highest in the nation. Rents for a 1BR often top $2,200+.
• Commute: Tolls on I-66 or the Beltway can add hundreds to your monthly "tax."
• Salary: Typically 15-20% higher to compensate, pushing you into higher federal brackets.

Central/South Virginia

• Housing: Very affordable. A mortgage on a nice home is often under $1,500.
• Commute: Minimal traffic compared to the DC metro area.
• Salary: Lower gross pay, but potentially higher disposable income due to lower costs.

Do You Commute? (Reciprocity Rules)

The DMV area (DC-Maryland-Virginia) has a famously mobile workforce. If you live in Virginia but work in D.C. or Maryland, you are protected by reciprocity agreements.

Living In	Working In	Where You Pay Tax	Action Item
Virginia	Wash. D.C.	Virginia	File Form D-4A with employer
Virginia	Maryland	Virginia	File Form MW507 with employer
Virginia	Kentucky	Virginia	File Form 42A809 with employer

Common Questions About VA Paychecks

What is the "Car Tax"?

Virginia charges an annual Personal Property Tax on vehicles. This comes directly from your city/county, NOT your paycheck. However, you must budget for it! It can be hundreds of dollars per year, usually due in October or December.

Is military pay taxed in Virginia?

Active duty pay is tax-free only if you are stationed outside Virginia and file as a non-resident. If you are a Virginia resident stationed in VA, your pay is taxed normally. However, up to $30,000 of military pay can be deducted depending on your rank and situation. Combat pay is always tax-exempt.

Does Virginia tax bonuses?

Yes. Bonuses are considered "supplemental wages." Employers often withhold them at a flat rate (federal 22% + state 5.75%) or stack them onto your regular pay, which might temporarily spike your withholding. The actual tax owed is reconciled when you file your return.

How can I increase my take-home pay?

The most reliable way is to reduce your taxable income through pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA). Alternatively, if you consistently get a large refund, adjust your state withholding by filing a new Form VA-4 with your employer to claim more exemptions.

Decoding the Codes: Your Virginia Pay Stub

Pay stubs can be a jumble of abbreviations. Here is a quick glossary of common codes you might see on a Virginia pay statement:

Code	Meaning	What it means for you
VA SIT	State Income Tax	Money withheld for Richmond. This funds state roads, schools, etc.
OASDI	Social Security	Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (6.2%).
MED	Medicare/Medicaid	Health insurance for seniors (1.45%).
Sec 125	Cafeteria Plan	Pre-tax health insurance premiums or FSA contributions.
VRS	Virginia Retirement System	If you are a state employee (teacher, police), this is your pension contribution.

Disclaimer & Data Sources:

This calculator uses official 2025 Virginia Department of Taxation withholding formulas and IRS Publication 15-T tables. While we strive for precision, tax laws are complex and subject to change. This tool provides an estimate for planning purposes only and is not a substitute for professional tax advice or official payroll software.

Last verified against Virginia Tax Bulletin updates: January 2025.

Virginia Paycheck Calculator: Calculate Your VA Take-Home Pay