If you've been awarded a work incentive, you could wonder just how much are bonuses taxed before you even get the money. It depends on the payroll calculation and tax withholding rules. Knowing the tax rules of bonuses enables staff members to have better control over their earnings and financial goals. The bonus tax rate also may be important to knowing the current tax rate so that it can be estimated more accurately. There are also some employees who wonder whether bonuses are treated differently from their regular pay, as there may be different ways of withholding.