How a bonus is withheld in Florida
Florida has no state income tax and no local income taxes, so a bonus loses only the federal lines: income tax withholding at the flat 22% supplemental rate (or under the aggregate method), Social Security at 6.2% up to the $184,500 wage base, and Medicare at 1.45%. On a $10,000 bonus the percentage method withholds $2,200, $620 and $145, leaving $7,035, the same as in Texas, Nevada and the other no-tax states.
Under the aggregate method the bonus is added to a regular paycheck and federal withholding is computed on the combined amount under the normal tables. For a $60,000 earner paid every two weeks that withholds about $2,700 rather than $2,200 on a $10,000 bonus, because a $12,308 fortnight annualises to $320,000. The extra comes back at filing; the tax owed is the same under both methods.
What the withholding means for your federal return
A single filer on $60,000 has a federal marginal rate of 12% up to $50,400 of taxable income and 22% above it, so a $10,000 bonus is really taxed at about $1,450 against $2,200 withheld, and about $750 returns as part of the refund. For a filer already in the 24% bracket (taxable income above $105,700), 22% withholding is slightly low and a small balance is due. The Florida paycheck calculator shows the federal marginal rate for any salary.
Florida residents who earn a bonus for work performed in a taxing state owe that state's tax on it; a bonus from a Georgia employer for work done in Georgia is withheld for Georgia at its 5.19% rate.