California PTO Payout Calculator
Yes. Under California labor laws (California Labor Code § 227.3), earned vacation time is considered wages, and employers are legally required to pay out all accrued, unused PTO upon separation.
How are you paid?
Your full pay before taxes are taken out
Most full-time jobs are 40
How many PTO hours you have left. Check your latest pay stub.
This changes the eligibility guidance below, not the dollar amount.
Optional: wages already paid this year
Use amounts from this employer before this payout. Leave blank to assume zero. These inputs affect Social Security, Additional Medicare, and the $1 million supplemental withholding threshold.
Final Separation Pay Estimation
ptopayoutcalculator.com — estimate, not tax or legal advice
Estimated Final Separation Pay
Gross Value of Earned Vacation Time
$2,500.00
80 hrs × $31.25/hr
Estimated take-home
$1,503.00
39.9% of your accrued time off goes to taxes
All accrued vacation is earned wages in California. Use-it-or-lose-it policies are illegal and unused PTO must be paid at the final rate of pay upon separation.
Learn more →What this means for you
The California guide classifies qualifying earned vacation as generally payable at separation. Check the state-specific conditions, leave type, employer coverage, and written policy before treating every PTO hour as payable.
Estimates only. Tax withholding may differ based on your full-year income, filing status, and deductions. Consult a tax professional for exact figures.
Assumptions: Uses 2026 federal thresholds and the optional flat supplemental withholding method. State rates are illustrative estimates. Your employer may use the aggregate method or other applicable payroll rules; withholding is not your final tax liability.
Disclaimer: These figures are automated estimates for informational and educational use under current labor guidelines. This calculator does not process binding tax or legal withholding, and does not constitute formal accounting or employment law advice. Always verify final calculations with your local labor department or a qualified legal expert.
Add this free, interactive calculator to your own site or blog. It runs instantly in the browser and helps your readers calculate their PTO payout.
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<p style="font-size:12px;text-align:center;color:#4b5a70">Powered by <a href="https://ptopayoutcalculator.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color:#533afd;text-decoration:none;font-weight:500">PTOPayoutCalculator.com</a></p>Estimates only. PTO payout rights and tax withholding vary by state, employer policy, and individual circumstances. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult your state labor department or a qualified professional. See our methodology.
Tax figures assume eligible flat supplemental withholding: 22% federal below the annual $1 million threshold, payroll taxes, and an illustrative state rate. Employers may use other permitted methods. Prior wages are assumed to be zero unless entered; state rates and individual payroll deductions need confirmation with payroll.
California 2026 Final Paycheck Regulations
Under California Labor Code Section 201 and 203, final paychecks must be delivered immediately upon involuntary termination (fired or laid off) or within 72 hours of voluntary resignation (unless 72 hours' notice is provided, in which case it is due on the last day). California's minimum wage is set at $16.90 per hour for 2026. Unused accrued vacation and PTO are classified as earned wages under California law and must be paid out in full at separation. Use-it-or-lose-it policies are strictly prohibited. Late payouts trigger waiting time penalties equal to one day of pay for each day late, capped at a maximum of 30 days.
How much is a PTO payout in California?
Your California PTO payout equals accrued unused hours × your hourly rate. Payout is required by law. Expect 22% federal withholding, about 10.2% California tax, and 7.65% FICA.
California PTO payout law, in plain English
What to check before estimating California vacation pay
All accrued vacation is earned wages in California. Use-it-or-lose-it policies are illegal and unused PTO must be paid at the final rate of pay upon separation.
Reference: California Labor Code § 227.3. Confirm whether the balance is earned vacation, combined PTO, sick leave, or time advanced before it was earned. Those distinctions can change what is payable.
Keep your final leave statement and policy with the calculation. A gross-value estimate does not establish that every displayed hour is eligible for payout.
State source: California Labor Commissioner’s Office (DLSE). This is an agency resource; it does not independently verify every estimate or settle eligibility.
Reference: California Labor Code § 227.3. Use-it-or-lose-it policies are not allowed in California, and the statute of limitations for unpaid-wage claims is 3 years.
Caps, accrual rollover & penalties
Because California treats accrued vacation as earned wages, employers cannot impose use-it-or-lose-it forfeiture on already-earned time. Caps may limit future accrual but cannot erase time already earned, and late final pay can trigger wage penalties.
What this means for employees
The state summary says accrued vacation is protected as earned compensation. Before leaving, save your leave statement, handbook, and final pay stub. Confirm that the balance is vacation or combined PTO rather than sick leave or advanced time. Reference: California Labor Code § 227.3. The calculator's net figure is an estimate using a 10.2% illustrative state rate and an assumed federal withholding method.
What this means for employers
The listed policy setting does not allow forfeiture of earned time under the state summary. Keep the policy version, balance history, pay rate, and calculation together. The calculator uses a 10.2% illustrative state withholding assumption; payroll should select the permitted method and account for the employee's year-to-date wages.
How to calculate your California PTO payout
For California, calculate gross value as eligible hours × the applicable hourly rate. For a salary, divide annual salary by scheduled annual hours rather than assuming every role uses 2,080 hours. Then compare the employer's withholding method, year-to-date wages, payroll taxes, state assumptions (10.2% in this estimate), and other deductions. The result is an estimate, not a payroll instruction.
Official California Wage Claim Resources
If you are denied your legal PTO payout or have wage disputes under state labor codes, you can contact the official agency below:
- Wage Agency: California Labor Commissioner’s Office (DLSE)
- Phone Support: (833) 526-4636
- Official Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/
California PTO payout FAQ
Does California require PTO payout when you quit or are fired?+
In California, PTO payout is legally required — accrued vacation is treated as earned wages and must be paid at separation. Reference: California Labor Code § 227.3.
Are use-it-or-lose-it policies legal in California?+
Use-it-or-lose-it policies are not allowed in California.
How much tax is taken from a PTO payout in California?+
PTO payouts are supplemental wages: 22% federal withholding, an estimated 10.2% California supplemental rate, and 7.65% FICA.
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