<prompt> Human: Hi everyone Im trying to figure out the best way to avoid extreme taxes on my salarybonus checks.Im a PA in a specialty where my salary is 75,000 and I receive 50 back of what I bill for in clinic surgery after I clear my salary. So I bill for 75,000 and start to earn the bonus. its a little bit more complicated but lets keep it simple My bonuses come quarterly and are around 14,000 each but are taxed at what seems to be around 50. Half of what I bust my ass for is taken away.Math, finance, etc is not for me. In fact, I didnt even have to take calculus in college. My question is...would negotiating a higher salary and earning a lower bonus each quarter help me avoid being taxed at such a high ? And if so, what should I ask for as a salary? At the current rate before tax Im making around 131,000 but 56,000 of it are the high taxed bonuses. Its late, Ive been drowning my first world sorrows. I just feel like I couldshould be taking more home than what I currently am.  <response>: would negotiating a higher salary and earning a lower bonus each quarter help me avoid being taxed at such a high ? No. Bonuses are not taxed any differently than other income. They are often withheld at a higher rate though.This gets reconciled when you file. If the higher withholding results in more being taken out than you owe, youll get a refund.If you can estimate your annual income you can adjust your W-4 to account for this so that you dont end up getting large refunds. 