How District of Columbia state tax withholding works
District of Columbia taxes wage income, so your employer withholds District of Columbia income tax from each paycheck in addition to federal tax. You tell your employer how much to withhold on Form D-4 (DC Withholding Allowance Certificate), the state’s counterpart to the federal Form W-4.
For 2026, District of Columbia uses graduated tax rates. Each rate applies only to the income within its band — the single-filer schedule is:
| Rate | Taxable income over |
|---|---|
| 4% | $0 |
| 6% | $10,000 |
| 6.5% | $40,000 |
| 8.5% | $60,000 |
| 9.25% | $250,000 |
| 9.75% | $500,000 |
| 10.75% | $1,000,000 |
District of Columbia’s standard deduction is $16,100 (single) and $32,200 (married filing jointly).
Enter your pay above to see your estimated District of Columbia withholding per paycheck and per year, alongside your federal withholding and the exact W-4 entries.
District of Columbia vs. federal withholding
Your District of Columbia and federal withholding are figured separately. Federal withholding follows the IRS Publication 15-T tables and your Form W-4; District of Columbia withholding follows the state’s own rates and your Form D-4. Getting one right doesn’t guarantee the other — this calculator handles both so you don’t owe a surprise bill to either the IRS or District of Columbia.
Important District of Columbia notes
- The District of Columbia uses the same brackets for all filing statuses.
Frequently asked questions
Sources & disclaimer
Federal figures use the 2026 IRS Publication 15-T. District of Columbia withholding is based on the 2026 District of Columbia income-tax structure; confirm exact figures and complete Form D-4 at the otr.cfo.dc.gov website.
This tool provides estimates for educational purposes and is not tax advice. State withholding is modeled from the state’s income-tax rules and may differ from the exact wage-bracket tables your employer uses. Verify against your pay stub and consult a qualified tax professional before submitting your W-4 or Form D-4.