Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household — your filing status changes your California standard deduction and bracket thresholds, directly affecting every paycheck.
MFJ assumes one earner. Standard deductions applied, no pre-tax contributions.
| Filing Status | CA Std Deduction | Annual CA Tax | Effective CA Rate | Biweekly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single | $5,202 | $4,894 | 5.2% | $2,665 |
| Married Filing Jointly | $10,404 | $2,231 | 2.3% | $2,967 |
| Head of Household | $10,726 | $2,562 | 2.7% | $2,885 |
| Married Filing Separately | $5,202 | $4,894 | 5.2% | $2,665 |
Default filing status. Used by unmarried individuals with no qualifying dependents or by those who can claim HOH but choose not to. California's small standard deduction ($5,202) means single filers have more taxable income than you might expect — a $60,000 single filer has $54,798 in CA taxable income.
Generally the most advantageous status for married couples where one spouse earns significantly more than the other. The bracket thresholds are approximately doubled compared to single filers. California conforms to federal rules for when you can claim MFJ.
Generally the least advantageous status for California. MFS uses the same brackets as single filers. California generally requires MFS if one spouse is a non-resident alien. If you file MFS federally, California typically requires the same. Rarely beneficial for most couples.
For unmarried individuals who maintain a home for a qualifying dependent (typically a child). HOH has the highest standard deduction of any single-filer status ($10,726 vs $5,202) and wider brackets than single. California follows federal rules for HOH qualification — you must have paid more than half the household costs and have a qualifying person who lived with you for more than half the year.
Your employer uses two forms to determine paycheck withholding:
Determines federal income tax withholding. Updated 2020 version no longer uses allowances — instead uses dollar amounts for deductions and credits. If you have a major life change (marriage, divorce, new dependent), update your W-4 with HR.
The California Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate (DE-4) determines California state income tax withholding. If not provided, employers use the same filing status as your W-4 for California withholding.