How this paycheck calculator works
Your employer takes several deductions from each paycheck before you're paid. This calculator starts with your gross pay, subtracts pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions and health insurance, then applies federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state income tax to show your net (take-home) pay.
Take-home pay = Gross pay − Federal tax − Social Security − Medicare − State tax − Pre-tax deductions
Federal income tax
We use the official 2026 IRS tax brackets and the standard deduction ($16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married couples filing jointly and $24,150 for heads of household). Tax is charged in layers: 10% on the first slice of taxable income, 12% on the next slice, and so on, so a raise never lowers your take-home pay.
Social Security and Medicare (FICA)
Social Security is 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 in 2026. Medicare is 1.45% of all wages, plus an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000. 401(k) contributions still count as wages for FICA, but most employer health premiums do not.
Example
A single filer earning $75,000, paid every two weeks, contributing 5% to a 401(k) in a state with a 4.5% tax rate, takes home about $2,133 per paycheck — roughly $55,500 a year.
Ways to increase your take-home pay
- Update your W-4 if you got a big refund last year — you may be over-withholding.
- Use pre-tax benefits such as an HSA or FSA to lower taxable income.
- Check whether your state offers credits or deductions you're not claiming.
This calculator gives an estimate. It doesn't include tax credits (like the Child Tax Credit), local city taxes, or bonuses taxed at supplemental rates, so your actual paycheck may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax is taken out of my paycheck?
Most workers pay 10–25% of gross pay in combined federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, plus state tax where it applies. Enter your salary above to see your exact estimate.
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming don't tax wages.
Does a 401(k) contribution reduce my taxes?
Yes. Traditional 401(k) contributions come out before federal and most state income taxes, so each dollar you save costs you less than a dollar of take-home pay. Social Security and Medicare still apply.
What's the difference between biweekly and semi-monthly pay?
Biweekly means every two weeks, which is 26 paychecks a year. Semi-monthly means twice a month, usually on fixed dates, which is 24 paychecks a year, so each check is slightly larger.
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