Paycheck (Take-Home Pay) Calculator
Estimate your net take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and other deductions.
📅 Tax Year:
Calculate Your Paycheck
$
$
Annual total
How It Works
Your paycheck is reduced by several mandatory and voluntary deductions:
- Pre-Tax Deductions: 401(k), HSA, health insurance reduce taxable income
- Federal Income Tax: Based on your taxable income and filing status
- Social Security: 6.2% on wages up to $184,500 (2026)
- Medicare: 1.45% on all wages (plus 0.9% on wages over $200k)
Formula
Net Pay = Gross - Federal Tax - SS Tax - Medicare Tax - Pre-Tax Deductions
Examples
Example: $75,000 Salary, Single, Bi-weekly
- Gross per paycheck: $2,884.62
- Federal tax: ~$350
- SS + Medicare: ~$220
- Net pay: ~$2,315
How to use this calculator
- Enter the filing status, income, deduction, credit, withholding, and other fields that apply to your situation.
- Run the calculator and review the tax estimate, rate, deduction, or planning result shown on the page.
- Compare the result with IRS forms, state rules, and your own records before making payment or filing decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Paycheck tax calculator 2026 take home pay?
Focus on the net result, not the headline amount. For the Paycheck (Take-Home Pay) Calculator, start with gross pay, pay frequency, W-4 details, filing status, dependents, pre-tax deductions, FICA, state tax, and post-tax deductions. Then use: net pay = gross pay - pre-tax deductions - taxes withheld - post-tax deductions. A pre-tax 401(k) contribution lowers federal taxable wages, while Roth 401(k) contributions do not reduce current federal income tax withholding. Read the result as federal withholding, FICA, state withholding, deductions, and net check. Use the IRS withholding estimator when life changes, side income, or multiple jobs make the W-4 less straightforward.
How much will my paycheck be after taxes?
Focus on the net result, not the headline amount. The Paycheck (Take-Home Pay) Calculator works best when you enter gross pay, pay frequency, W-4 details, filing status, dependents, pre-tax deductions, FICA, state tax, and post-tax deductions. The planning formula is net pay = gross pay - pre-tax deductions - taxes withheld - post-tax deductions. A pre-tax 401(k) contribution lowers federal taxable wages, while Roth 401(k) contributions do not reduce current federal income tax withholding. Use the final number for federal withholding, FICA, state withholding, deductions, and net check. Use the IRS withholding estimator when life changes, side income, or multiple jobs make the W-4 less straightforward.
Federal paycheck withholding calculator?
Use this as a planning estimate, then reconcile it with the actual tax forms. Enter gross pay, pay frequency, W-4 details, filing status, dependents, pre-tax deductions, FICA, state tax, and post-tax deductions in the Paycheck (Take-Home Pay) Calculator. A practical formula is: net pay = gross pay - pre-tax deductions - taxes withheld - post-tax deductions. A pre-tax 401(k) contribution lowers federal taxable wages, while Roth 401(k) contributions do not reduce current federal income tax withholding. Review federal withholding, FICA, state withholding, deductions, and net check. Use the IRS withholding estimator when life changes, side income, or multiple jobs make the W-4 less straightforward.
Take home pay calculator with 401(k) and HSA?
Focus on the net result, not the headline amount. For the Paycheck (Take-Home Pay) Calculator, start with gross pay, pay frequency, W-4 details, filing status, dependents, pre-tax deductions, FICA, state tax, and post-tax deductions. Then use: net pay = gross pay - pre-tax deductions - taxes withheld - post-tax deductions. A pre-tax 401(k) contribution lowers federal taxable wages, while Roth 401(k) contributions do not reduce current federal income tax withholding. Read the result as federal withholding, FICA, state withholding, deductions, and net check. Use the IRS withholding estimator when life changes, side income, or multiple jobs make the W-4 less straightforward.
Paycheck calculator married filing jointly?
Keep the inputs practical for this estimate. The Paycheck (Take-Home Pay) Calculator works best when you enter gross pay, pay frequency, W-4 details, filing status, dependents, pre-tax deductions, FICA, state tax, and post-tax deductions. The planning formula is net pay = gross pay - pre-tax deductions - taxes withheld - post-tax deductions. A pre-tax 401(k) contribution lowers federal taxable wages, while Roth 401(k) contributions do not reduce current federal income tax withholding. Use the final number for federal withholding, FICA, state withholding, deductions, and net check. Use the IRS withholding estimator when life changes, side income, or multiple jobs make the W-4 less straightforward.
Biweekly paycheck tax calculator federal?
Start with the key tax inputs and keep each number easy to verify. Enter gross pay, pay frequency, W-4 details, filing status, dependents, pre-tax deductions, FICA, state tax, and post-tax deductions in the Paycheck (Take-Home Pay) Calculator. A practical formula is: net pay = gross pay - pre-tax deductions - taxes withheld - post-tax deductions. A pre-tax 401(k) contribution lowers federal taxable wages, while Roth 401(k) contributions do not reduce current federal income tax withholding. Review federal withholding, FICA, state withholding, deductions, and net check. Use the IRS withholding estimator when life changes, side income, or multiple jobs make the W-4 less straightforward.
How to calculate net pay from gross pay?
Build the estimate in order. First gather gross pay, pay frequency, W-4 details, filing status, dependents, pre-tax deductions, FICA, state tax, and post-tax deductions. Then apply this working formula: net pay = gross pay - pre-tax deductions - taxes withheld - post-tax deductions. Use the calculator output for federal withholding, FICA, state withholding, deductions, and net check. A pre-tax 401(k) contribution lowers federal taxable wages, while Roth 401(k) contributions do not reduce current federal income tax withholding. Use the IRS withholding estimator when life changes, side income, or multiple jobs make the W-4 less straightforward.
Use Cases
- Salary negotiation: Convert a job offer into per-paycheck take-home pay to see what you actually bring home.
- W-4 planning: Adjust filing status or pre-tax deductions and see the immediate impact on your paycheck.
- 401(k) budgeting: See how increasing your 401(k) contribution reduces your taxes and affects take-home pay.
- Pay frequency comparison: Compare weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly net pay amounts.
Assumptions & Limitations
- Uses the standard deduction for the selected filing status. Custom itemized deductions are not modeled.
- Does not include state or local income taxes, which vary by jurisdiction.
- Does not model employer-paid benefits such as health insurance premiums deducted post-tax.
- The Additional Medicare Tax (0.9%) is applied when annual wages exceed $200,000.
- Results are estimates for planning. Actual paycheck amounts depend on your employer's withholding method and your W-4 elections.
Sources & References
- IRS Publication 15 (Circular E) — Employer's Tax Guide (withholding methods, FICA rates)
- IRS Publication 15-T — Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
- Social Security Administration — 2026 OASDI contribution base ($184,500)
- IRS Topic No. 751 — Social Security and Medicare Withholding Rates
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-11 — 2026 inflation-adjusted brackets and standard deductions
- IRS Form W-4 Instructions — Employee's Withholding Certificate
Rates reflect IRS guidance current as of January 2026. Verify at irs.gov.