Overtime Tax Calculator 2025 — Your Real Overtime Rate

Calculate the actual tax rate on your overtime pay. Debunk the overtime tax myth — see exactly what you keep from each overtime hour.

$
Paid at 1.5× regular rate
%
Common rates:
$0
OT Take-Home Per Hour
$0
OT Gross Per Hour (1.5×)
0%
Marginal Rate on OT
$0
Weekly OT Take-Home

Overtime Pay Breakdown

How Overtime Is Actually Taxed

Overtime pay is taxed as ordinary income — it is simply added to your regular wages. The government applies your normal marginal rate to your overtime earnings, meaning only the portion that falls in each bracket is taxed at that bracket's rate.

The "overtime tax myth" comes from the fact that paycheck withholding can look high because your employer annualizes your income for that period. But at year-end, if too much was withheld, you get a refund.

The Formula

OT Gross Per Hour = Regular Rate × 1.5
Marginal Rate on OT = Federal Marginal Rate + State Rate + FICA Rate (7.65%)
OT Net Per Hour = OT Gross × (1 − Marginal Rate)
OT Always Positive: You always keep at least (1 − top marginal rate) of OT pay

Example

Alex, Single, $25/hour, 10 OT hours/week, 5% state tax:
OT gross rate: $25 × 1.5 = $37.50/hour
Regular income: 40 × $25 × 52 = $52,000/year → 22% marginal bracket
OT income: 10 × $37.50 × 52 = $19,500 (also in 22% bracket)
OT marginal rate: 22% fed + 5% state + 7.65% FICA = 34.65%
OT take-home: $37.50 × (1 − 34.65%) = $24.51/hour net
Still 65 cents per OT dollar — always worth it!
Extended

Overtime Tax Myth Debunker

Visual proof that overtime is never taxed at 100%+ and always worth taking

Visual proof: overtime is never 100% taxed. Every overtime dollar puts money in your pocket.

Hourly RateOT Gross/hrTax on OT/hrOT Net/hrYou Keep

Annual value of working different amounts of overtime at your current rate.

Weekly OT HoursAnnual OT GrossAnnual OT NetMonthly OT Cash

Frequently Asked Questions

Is overtime taxed at a higher rate?
No — overtime is not taxed at a special higher rate. It is taxed as ordinary income at your marginal rate. Because overtime adds to your total income, some of it may push into a higher bracket, but only the portion above that bracket threshold pays the higher rate. The myth that "overtime is taxed at 50%" comes from confusion about how progressive taxation works.
Why does it feel like overtime is taxed heavily?
When you receive a paycheck with overtime, your employer annualizes your higher earnings and withholds more for that period. This can make it look like a much higher percentage was taken. At year-end, if you overpaid withholding, you receive a refund. The actual tax rate on overtime equals your marginal federal + state + FICA rates combined.
What is the FLSA overtime rule?
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires non-exempt employees to receive at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Some states have daily overtime rules: California requires 1.5x after 8 hours/day and 2x after 12 hours/day. This calculator uses the federal 1.5x standard.
How much of my overtime pay do I actually keep?
It depends on your total income and state. For a single filer in the 22% bracket (income $48K-$103K), overtime is taxed at roughly 22% federal + 7.65% FICA + state rate. At a 5% state rate, total marginal rate is ~34.65%. So on a $100 overtime payment, you keep about $65. The more you earn, the higher the marginal rate on overtime.
Is it worth working overtime from a take-home perspective?
Yes — despite the higher marginal tax rate, you always keep more money from overtime than you pay in taxes. If your combined marginal rate is 35%, you still keep 65 cents per overtime dollar. The question is whether the trade-off of time for money is worth it to you personally, not a tax issue.