Every question is read by a person, and the reply points at the published rate it comes from: an FTB bracket schedule, an EDD notice on SDI, an IRS withholding table. Where a page here is vague about which of those a number leans on, that gets fixed on the page.

An answer worth sharing only goes up with your say-so, stripped of anything that identifies you. You are asked first, every time.

This is not tax or payroll advice. The calculator estimates from published rates, while your actual check is settled by your employer's payroll run and your own filing position. The FTB, the EDD and the IRS are the authorities, and a CPA or an enrolled agent is who you want for a filing or withholding decision. How a bracket, a credit or the SDI rate is applied here, and where a number came from, are the good ones to send.