New York
$5,850
11.7% state
- Total withheld
- $19,714
- Net RSU
- $30,286
- Federal + FICA
- $13,864
- Rank
- #1
Compare different states
2026
2026New York vs California RSU Tax
New York withholds $735 more state tax than California on $50,000 RSU vest (100 shares × $500 FMV) with $150,000 other annual income (flat supplemental method).
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Key finding
New York withholds more state tax
$735 more state tax — net gap ~$735 ($30,286 vs $31,021).
Side-by-side RSU withholding scoreboard
California
$5,115
10.23% state
- Total withheld
- $18,979
- Net RSU
- $31,021
- Federal + FICA
- $13,864
- Rank
- #4
Total withholding gap: $735 (state drives most of the difference).
Key takeaways — New York vs California RSU tax
- New York withholds about $735 more state tax ($5,850 vs $5,115).
- New York: 11.7% (Published flat supplemental). California: 10.23% (CA DE 44 RSU/stock (10.23%)).
- Federal withholding is $11,000 in both states on this vignette (22% flat per IRS Pub. 15); FICA is $2,864 each.
- New York ranks #1; California ranks #4 (#1 = highest state withholding).
- Model custom RSU vests at /rsu-tax-calculator.
Rule contrast — New York vs California
| Topic | New York | California |
|---|---|---|
| Withholding method | Published flat supplemental | CA DE 44 RSU/stock (10.23%) |
| Supplemental rate | 11.7% | 10.23% |
| Vignette state tax | $5,850 | $5,115 |
| Vignette federal + FICA | $11,000 + $2,864 | $11,000 + $2,864 |
| Vignette total withheld | $19,714 | $18,979 |
| Vignette net | $30,286 | $31,021 |
| Rank (curated) | #1 | #4 |
State withholding and net at different RSU sizes
$150,000 other annual income; engine flat supplemental method. State gap is state tax only; net is after-tax share value after sell-to-cover.
| RSU | New York state | California state | State gap | NY net | CA net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 | $1,755 | $1,534.50 | $220.50 | $8,797.50 | $9,018 |
| $50,000 | $5,850 | $5,115 | $735 | $30,286 | $31,021 |
| $100,000 | $11,700 | $10,230 | $1,470 | $62,261 | $63,731 |
| $250,000 | $29,250 | $25,575 | $3,675 | $158,186 | $161,861 |
How to read this page
New York vs California RSU tax in 2026
This page compares state supplemental withholding for New York (NY) and California (CA) on $50,000 RSU vest (100 shares × $500 FMV) with $150,000 other annual income (flat supplemental method), calculated from our engine (same engine as the RSU vest calculator).
New York is higher by about $735 in state tax alone; net take-home favors California by about $735.
New York State published supplemental rate 11.7% (NYS-50-T-NYS, Jan 2026). NYC resident local tax is separate and not included.
California DE 44: 10.23% flat on bonuses and stock options / RSUs (other supplemental wages use 6.6%).
How each state’s rate works
New York (Published flat supplemental): about 11.7% → $5,850 on the vignette.
California (CA DE 44 RSU/stock (10.23%)): about 10.23% → $5,115 on the vignette.
Official state agencies for this pair only are linked in the sources section — not every state in the hub.
Federal and FICA are the same on this vignette
Both states withhold $11,000 federal income tax under the Pub. 15 flat method (22% on $50,000).
FICA is $2,864 in each (Social Security + Medicare on this YTD/RSU pair). The take-home gap is almost entirely state supplemental withholding.
Above $1M supplemental wages with one employer, federal withholding uses 37% on the excess — still the same rule in both states.
Same RSU vests, different state tax
The ladder recomputes engine results at $15k–$250k RSU vests with $150,000 other annual income.
When both sides use flat (or flat-PIT proxy) rates, the dollar gap scales roughly with RSU size.
Signing-RSU negotiations should still include regular wage tax and cost of living — not supplemental withholding alone.
What this comparison excludes
Local city taxes (NYC, Philly wage tax, Ohio municipalities) are not included.
Aggregate-method stubs can differ from the flat-percentage estimates shown here.
Final Form 1040 liability depends on annual brackets, deductions, and credits — withholding is a prepayment.
Who this New York vs California comparison helps
Useful if…
- •Candidates weighing New York vs California offers with cash RSU vests
- •Payroll comparing multi-state supplemental setup
- •Editors quantifying high-tax vs no-tax state gaps
Use official tools if…
- •Local city taxes (NYC, Philly, Ohio municipalities)
- •Aggregate-method stubs that differ from flat rates
- •Year-end true-up if federal 22% under-withholds
New York vs California checklist
Before treating the withholding gap as a job or relocation decision.
- 1Confirm New York and California supplemental rules with each revenue department.
- 2Ask which withholding method payroll uses (flat vs aggregate).
- 3Check the RSU vest ladder for your award size.
- 4Open /rsu-tax-by-state/new-york and /rsu-tax-by-state/california for full profiles.
- 5Run both scenarios in /rsu-tax-calculator.
Vignette net: $30,286 (NY) vs $31,021 (CA).
What the state gap means
Flat supplemental rates differ by state; federal 22% and FICA rules are the same. Withholding is not your final tax bill when you file.
Limits of this comparison
NYC/local taxes, aggregate-method withholding, and equity vest timing are not modeled. Use the RSU calculator for custom vest amounts and other income.
New York vs California RSU tax FAQs
New York withholds about $735 more in state tax ($5,850 vs $5,115).
No on this vignette — both use the flat 22% federal supplemental method plus the same FICA rules. The gap is almost entirely state supplemental withholding.
New York: 11.7%. California: 10.23%.
California, by about $735.
No. This comparison is state supplemental withholding plus federal and FICA only.
Not on this vignette. Both use 22% flat federal supplemental withholding ($11,000) plus the same FICA rules.
Compare another pair
Compare any two states
Supplemental RSU withholding on a $50,000 vest (100×$500) with $150,000 other income.
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