Tax jurisdiction · United States
Washington DC athlete tax: what a pro athlete really pays
Washington DC takes 10.75% of a top-end athlete salary, which is $1,075,000 on a $10M contract. That ranks 18 of 66 jurisdictions we track. Against a no-tax state the same deal is worth $1,075,000 less.
Washington DC tax at each contract size
| Contract | Washington DC tax | Effective rate | Left before federal tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000,000 | $107,500 | 10.75% | $892,500 |
| $5,000,000 | $537,500 | 10.75% | $4,462,500 |
| $10,000,000 | $1,075,000 | 10.75% | $8,925,000 |
| $25,000,000 | $2,687,500 | 10.75% | $22,312,500 |
These figures are the state bill alone. Federal tax, FICA, agent fees and league deductions all come off the remainder.
Teams in Washington DC
3 teams play in Washington DC:
- Washington Wizards · NBA
- Washington Nationals · MLB
- Washington Capitals · NHL
Each team page runs a full contract through the federal brackets, Washington DC's state tax, agent fees and league deductions to give a take-home figure.
How Washington DC compares
| Benchmark | Top rate | On a $10M contract | Difference vs Washington DC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington DC | 10.75% | $1,075,000 | — |
| Texas (no income tax) | 0% | $0 | +$1,075,000 |
| California (highest US state) | 13.3% | $1,330,000 | -$255,000 |
Signed from Washington DC's point of view: a positive number is what Washington DC takes that the benchmark does not.
The jock tax in Washington DC
Every state with an income tax taxes visiting athletes on duty days worked inside its borders. Washington DC is no exception. A player who lives elsewhere owes Washington DC only on the share of the season spent here, calculated by counting practice and game days.
The reverse is the bigger number. A Washington DC resident owes Washington DC on the entire salary no matter where the games are played, which is why residency — not team location — drives most of the planning.
Frequently asked
How much state tax does a $10M athlete salary pay in Washington DC?
$1,075,000 at the 10.75% top marginal rate. Our model applies the top rate to the whole salary, which overstates the bill slightly and therefore understates take-home pay.
Do away games change what an athlete owes Washington DC?
If the player is a Washington DC resident, the state taxes the full salary regardless of where games are played. Non-residents owe Washington DC only on duty days worked here, which is the jock tax.