Correct. By those rates, if you are single, the first $56,085 of taxable income is taxed at a total of $2,469.34. Assume you take the standard deduction, you could make $68,085 and only pay $2,469.34 to the state of California, or roughly 3.6% of your income. California also left in several itemized expenses that were cut during federal tax reform last year.