Paycheck Calculator
US take-home pay · Federal, FICA & state · compare job offers · 2026 tax year
Annualized breakdown
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How your federal taxable income moves through the 2026 marginal brackets — only income inside each band is taxed at that band's rate.
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Per pay period
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Compare against a second offer or raise
Uses your current filing status, frequency, and deductions — just change the pay and state below.
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What Is a Paycheck Calculator, and Why Use One?
Your salary and your take-home pay are two different numbers. Between the two sits federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and — in most states — a state income tax, plus whatever you've chosen to have deducted before or after tax, like a 401(k) contribution or a health insurance premium. This calculator walks through each of those deductions the way an employer's payroll system does, so you can see the number that actually lands in your bank account.
In practice, four things drive your take-home pay: your gross wages, your filing status, the state you work in, and the deductions you've elected. Because federal tax is progressive, a raise doesn't reduce your take-home percentage as sharply as most people expect — only the income inside each new bracket is taxed at the higher rate.
When You Should Recalculate
Recalculate whenever your salary changes, you move to a new state, you adjust your 401(k) contribution, you add a dependent, or a new tax year's brackets and standard deduction are released. Small changes to pre-tax deductions can meaningfully shift your paycheck, since they lower both your tax bill and your taxable income at once.
Tips for getting an accurate estimate
Use your actual pay frequency
Biweekly (26 paychecks) and semi-monthly (24 paychecks) are easy to mix up — they change your per-check amount even though the annual total is the same.
Pre-tax deductions do double duty
401(k) and health premiums reduce your taxable income before federal and state tax are calculated, which is why raising your 401(k)% doesn't cut your paycheck by the full contribution amount.
Know which deductions skip FICA
Health insurance and FSA/HSA contributions typically lower your Social Security and Medicare wages too. A traditional 401(k) does not — it still counts as FICA wages.
Check your state separately
Nine states charge no wage income tax at all. For the rest, this tool uses a simplified flat-rate estimate — swap in your state's real withholding rate for a closer match.
Watch the Social Security cap
Social Security tax stops once your wages pass the annual wage base ($184,500 for 2026). High earners see a jump in take-home pay once they cross it.
This isn't your W-4
Real withholding also depends on your W-4 elections. Use this as a planning estimate, then confirm against an actual pay stub.
Frequently asked questions
How is federal income tax calculated on a paycheck?
Your employer estimates your annual taxable wages, subtracts the standard deduction for your filing status, then runs that number through the 2026 marginal brackets — 10% up to 37% at the top. Only income inside each band is taxed at that band's rate.
What's the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your full earnings before anything is withheld. Net pay — your take-home pay — is what's left after federal, FICA, state and local tax, and any deductions you've elected.
What are FICA taxes?
FICA covers Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base, $184,500 in 2026) and Medicare (1.45% of all wages, plus 0.9% extra above $200,000 single / $250,000 joint).
Why does my 401(k) lower my tax more than my paycheck?
A traditional 401(k) contribution is deducted before tax is calculated, so it shrinks your taxable income — but it still comes out of your paycheck in full, just with a smaller net cost than the raw contribution.
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming don't tax wage income. Every other state — plus Washington, D.C. — applies some form of state income tax.
Why is my estimate different from my actual paycheck?
Your employer's payroll system uses your exact W-4 elections and bracket tables — this tool uses a simplified, single-rate approximation for state tax. Treat it as a planning estimate, not a substitute for your pay stub.
What's the difference between a traditional and Roth 401(k)?
A traditional 401(k) comes out before tax, lowering your taxable income now. A Roth 401(k) comes out after tax, so your paycheck's taxable income doesn't shrink, but qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free.
What's the difference between effective and marginal tax rate?
Effective rate is your total tax divided by your gross pay — the average rate across every dollar. Marginal rate is the combined rate on your next dollar earned, which is what a raise or bonus is actually taxed at.
How does the overtime calculation work?
When enabled, hours beyond 40 in a week are paid at 1.5× your hourly rate, matching the federal Fair Labor Standards Act standard for non-exempt employees.
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Sources & further reading
IRS – 2026 Tax Year Inflation Adjustments
Official IRS release of the 2026 federal tax brackets, standard deduction, and related inflation adjustments.
Social Security Administration – Contribution and Benefit Base
The SSA's official annual Social Security wage base, used to cap the 6.2% Social Security payroll tax.
IRS – Social Security and Medicare Withholding Rates
Official guidance on FICA rates, including the additional 0.9% Medicare tax on higher earners.
Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a substitute for the IRS, your state revenue department, your employer's payroll provider, or a licensed tax professional.
All figures — including federal tax, FICA, state and local tax, and net pay — are approximations based on the numbers you enter and standard 2026 federal formulas. State tax uses a simplified single flat-rate estimate and does not reflect your state's actual bracket structure, credits, reciprocity agreements, or local surtaxes. This tool does not model self-employment tax, supplemental wage withholding, itemized deductions, or your specific Form W-4 elections.
FinToku is not a payroll provider, employer, or tax preparer. Use of this tool does not create any professional relationship between you and FinToku. You are solely responsible for decisions made using these estimates.
Free tool by FinToku · Results are indicative. Consult a tax professional for exact figures.