PTO Payout Calculator
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When leaving a job or cashing out unused paid time off (PTO), your accumulated vacation and personal hours are paid out at your standard hourly wage rate.
Because the IRS classifies accrued PTO cash-outs as supplemental wages, federal withholding is assessed at a flat 22% rate before Social Security, Medicare, and state deductions. Enter your balance to see your gross payout and estimated net check.
PTO Payout & Tax Withholding Benchmarks
Estimated cash-out values for 40 hours and 80 hours of unused vacation time across standard hourly wages, after 22% federal supplemental tax and FICA.
| Hourly Rate | Unused Hours | Gross PTO Pay | Federal Tax (22%) | FICA (7.65%) | Est. Net Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20.00/hr | 40 hrs | $800.00 | $176.00 | $61.20 | $562.80 |
| $20.00/hr | 80 hrs | $1,600.00 | $352.00 | $122.40 | $1,125.60 |
| $25.00/hr | 40 hrs | $1,000.00 | $220.00 | $76.50 | $703.50 |
| $25.00/hr | 80 hrs | $2,000.00 | $440.00 | $153.00 | $1,407.00 |
| $30.00/hr | 40 hrs | $1,200.00 | $264.00 | $91.80 | $844.20 |
| $30.00/hr | 80 hrs | $2,400.00 | $528.00 | $183.60 | $1,688.40 |
| $40.00/hr | 40 hrs | $1,600.00 | $352.00 | $122.40 | $1,125.60 |
| $40.00/hr | 80 hrs | $3,200.00 | $704.00 | $244.80 | $2,251.20 |
| $50.00/hr | 40 hrs | $2,000.00 | $440.00 | $153.00 | $1,407.00 |
| $50.00/hr | 80 hrs | $4,000.00 | $880.00 | $306.00 | $2,814.00 |
*Calculated using the 22% federal supplemental rate and 7.65% FICA withholding. State withholding is modeled at 0%; actual payout will depend on state tax and employer leave policy.
How the calculation works
- Gross Payout = Accrued PTO Hours × Hourly Pay Rate.
- Federal Withholding = Gross Payout × 22% (IRS Supplemental Wage Rate).
- FICA Withholding = Gross Payout × 7.65% (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare).
- State Withholding = Gross Payout × State Supplemental Rate.
- Net Cash-Out Payout = Gross Payout − Federal − FICA − State.
Frequently asked questions
How is PTO payout taxed?
PTO payouts are treated by the IRS as supplemental wages. In 2026, supplemental wages are subject to a flat 22% federal income tax withholding rate, plus 7.65% FICA (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare) and any applicable state supplemental withholding.
What is an 80-hour PTO payout at $30 an hour?
At $30/hour for 80 accrued PTO hours, gross payout is $2,400.00. Federal tax withheld at 22% is $528.00, FICA at 7.65% is $183.60, and estimated 5% state tax is $120.00, leaving an estimated net check of $1,568.40.
Are employers required to pay out unused PTO?
State laws vary. States like California, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, and Nebraska treat earned PTO as wages that must be paid upon separation. In other states, payout depends on company policy or the employment agreement.
How Paid Time Off (PTO) Cash-Outs Are Taxed (2026) →
Learn how unused PTO, vacation, and sick leave payouts are taxed as IRS supplemental wages, including flat 22% withholding and year-end refunds.
Read full guide with worked examples →Related calculators
Method and statutory parameters last reviewed September 27, 2026. Built and tested by PullMesh. See our methodology and sources. Estimates are informational, not tax, payroll, or legal advice.