I need help and I don't know where to get the information that I need.

I have been officially offered a job in California. The offer is 20% lower than what I expected. So for me to counter, I really need to understand the California tax rates. I believe I had an idea as to the tax impact, but wasn't worried about specifics as I thought the numbers would come in higher to give me some room. Since that's not the case, I need to be as certain as possible as to the impact. I have never dealt with state income tax, so I'm beyond clueless.

I can see the tax tables, which gives me a flat rate above $101,738 and then 9.3% above that. Will it be lower than that due to deductions? Also, if I'm living in Orange County, are there any additional city taxes that I have to calculate?

Any help from a California resident would be appreciated.

There is also a state disability/unemployment tax you have to pay seperately from income taxes.

I'm aware of the SDI at 0.9% withholding for the employee. However, I would assume the state unemployment insurance is paid by the employer, correct? I did not realize SUI was withheld from the employee check.

Ca state tax is about 6%, Ca disability is about .9%. Also factor in federal, SSI, and medicare.
if you get an income tax return, you might get one from the federal government and state.

As a side note, may only be a few cents, but you also pay a .35 debit card fee on purchases at some places. You get charged a recycling fee on drink cans at walmart and such places. (You get them back if you recylce)
Might want to plug in some numbers in cost of living calculators to give you an idea as well. Hope the helps bud.

quote:

---

I'm aware of the SDI at 0.9% withholding for the employee. However, I would assume the state unemployment insurance is paid by the employer, correct? I did not realize SUI was withheld from the employee check.

---

Tax Tables

I'm not sure where the 6% number comes from. I've been in CA for a few months and I'm already up to close to 7%.

It's just SDI. For some reason, I was thinking it also covered unemployment. Regardless, you do have to pay for SDI.

As far as cost of living, expect everything at the grocery store to be 25-30% more expensive out there than in Texas.

quote:

---

Ca state tax is about 6%, Ca disability is about .9%. Also factor in federal, SSI, and medicare.
if you get an income tax return, you might get one from the federal government and state.

As a side note, may only be a few cents, but you also pay a .35 debit card fee on purchases at some places. You get charged a recycling fee on drink cans at walmart and such places. (You get them back if you recylce)

---

And fees on alcohol and large electronics. Or is that in other places also now...?
i think my $800 tv I bought a few years ago at Costco had another $80 fee for electronic recycling or some other bs.
Are some of these fees county/city? Or across the whole state? I know that here in SF we just had a vote on a new beverage tax/fee that didn't pass. As if we don't have enough fees already...

OP, just be thankful you aren't an employer. I technically pay over 50% in taxes between federal, state, city, s-corp, llc, etc taxes. And that's not even counting my ridiculous property taxes. I'm quite popular here...

Also forgot to mention your car registration fees will be significantly higher than in texas.

Welcome to Kalifornia, Komrade!

quote:

---

Also forgot to mention your car registration fees will be significantly higher than in texas.

---

Forgot about that part. And don't forget the smog check. If have an older car, you might wind up needing a new one. My Tahoe still had a few miles left in it, but not according to California. Wound up getting rid of it because the repairs were going to be outrageous.

But don't buy a new one because CA will want your sales tax dollars.

OP wants to know if he can afford to live out here. Don't blame us for telling him the truth.

quote:

---

---

Really dude? Buying power has a direct impact on quality of life. If California really is the paradise you frequently say it is, surely it will withstand a little scrutiny, right?

Buying or renting would also make a big difference here..what cities you looking at?

For instance in CA I pay 1.09% in prop taxes where in Texas it would be 3.0+%..

Who's the d-bag calling people tight asses for answering a question?

I appreciate the replies. I am a tightwad....and it's a scary proposition to move a family of 4 from TX to CA.

I am trying to understand how much $$$$ it would take to live comfortable in Orange County (lake forest, irvine, laguna niguel, and the surrounding areas). I will be renting as I don't want to touch the CA housing market.

I've been offered a low-ball number at less than $150,000. On a 1 income family, I'm just not sure it's worth moving to make under that amount. Over that amount and I think it's feasible. However, without actually living in the area or knowing people that do....it's difficult to gauge.

SteadicaTm is fine. I'm sure he's just tired of me ragging on the state.

quote:

---

I appreciate the replies. I am a tightwad....and it's a scary proposition to move a family of 4 from TX to CA.

I am trying to understand how much $$ it would take to live comfortable in Orange County (lake forest, irvine, laguna niguel, and the surrounding areas). I will be renting as I don't want to touch the CA housing market.

I've been offered a low-ball number at less than $150,000. On a 1 income family, I'm just not sure it's worth moving to make under that amount. Over that amount and I think it's feasible. However, without actually living in the area or knowing people that do....it's difficult to gauge.

---

Definitely would not move out here with a family of 4 and only $150K. I forget people have families they have to consider. I refuse to get married and I LOATHE children. All I gotta worry about is myself.

Don't let the housing market scare you away...
A lot of OC has gone crazy over the last few years..you get in the right spot and its fee money..prob is the right spot tends to be a bit more $'s

It's a little more than just the housing market itself. I don't want to buy until I'm certain that the transition to California is successful.

Is it reasonable for me to think that to get a 3 bedroom 2 bath house in a good area with good schools would run me in excess of $2,500 per month? I don't see anything on the internet that looks desirable for $2,200 to $2,300 a month.

I would say yes .. people are getting killed on rent out here right now but that also has to do w the fact that everyone wants to live w in 10 miles of the beach.

Easiest thing to do is go on Zillow and check only the for rent box...
For the beach cities that is a one bedroom apartment.

Irvine area, Tustin and parts of Orange would be my second choices..

Check out Craigslist for rentals. Many west coasters (especially in the Bay Area, don't know about SoCal) post rentals on craigslist exclusively. It's weird how much people here rely on it for rent and job searches.

Do NOT move here with a family of four for less than $150k, trust me.

I'm not.....just trying to figure out how much north of $150k I need to comfortably live. I'm fine with renting....but do not want apartment living.

How much money do you have to put down on a house? If you have a good amount saved up, this whole thing might be moot.

Not interested in buying at the moment. If I take the job, will wait a year or two to see if the family transition successfully. But....don't really have enough down-payment in my mind....so buying may never be an option. If not, plan B is back to Texas. So, I will be renting in California.