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
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this include state taxes?
No, this shows federal taxes only. State income tax varies by
location—some states have none, others have rates up to 13%.
What about bonuses?
Bonuses are taxed differently (often 22% flat withholding). Use our
Bonus Tax Calculator for bonus estimates.
Why is my actual paycheck different?
Your employer may have different withholding based on your W-4, plus
state taxes, local taxes, and other deductions not included here.
How do pre-tax deductions help?
Pre-tax deductions lower your taxable income, reducing the federal
tax you owe. A $500/month 401k contribution could save $100+ in taxes.
What's the Social Security wage base?
For 2026, SS tax (6.2%) only applies to the first $184,500 of wages.
Income above that isn't subject to SS tax.
Is Additional Medicare Tax included?
If your annual wages exceed $200,000, this calculator includes the
additional 0.9% Medicare tax on wages above that threshold.
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.