Use this calculator to estimate the actual paycheck amount that is brought home after taxes and deductions from salary. Based on 2026 tax brackets.
This take-home paycheck calculator covers every major paycheck deduction for US employees in 2026: federal income tax withholding (using 2026 tax brackets), Social Security tax at 6.2% on up to $184,500 of wages (SSA), Medicare at 1.45% (plus the 0.9% additional Medicare tax for earnings above $200,000 single / $250,000 MFJ), and state income tax. Pre-tax deductions — 401(k), traditional IRA, FSA, HSA, and employer health insurance premiums — are subtracted before calculating income tax. Post-tax deductions (Roth 401(k), certain benefits) are calculated after. The result is your net paycheck for any pay frequency.
1. Enter your gross salary (annual) or hourly rate; select your pay frequency (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly).
2. Select your federal filing status (Single, MFJ, MFS, or Head of Household) and number of allowances or W-4 settings.
3. Enter your state of employment for state income tax calculation.
4. Enter pre-tax deductions: 401(k) contribution %, health insurance premium, HSA contribution, FSA amount.
5. Enter any additional withholding or post-tax deductions.
6. Click Calculate. Review your net paycheck, itemized deductions, effective tax rate, and take-home at each pay period.
Federal withholding is estimated from 2026 tax brackets using annualized income minus pre-tax deductions and the standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 MFJ per IRS). FICA taxes:
SS Tax = Gross wages × 6.2% (up to $184,500 wage base)
Medicare = Gross wages × 1.45% (all wages; +0.9% above $200k single)
State income tax is applied per state rate schedules. The net paycheck = Gross pay – Federal withholding – SS tax – Medicare – State tax – Pre-tax deductions – Post-tax deductions. For biweekly pay: all annual figures divided by 26.
Your effective tax rate — total taxes ÷ gross pay — is typically lower than your marginal bracket because lower income layers are taxed at lower rates. A single filer earning $80,000 in 2026 faces a 22% marginal federal rate on income above $50,401, but their effective federal rate will be closer to 14–15%. Adding FICA (7.65% combined) and state taxes brings the total effective rate to roughly 22–30% depending on the state.
FICA — Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes — fund Social Security and Medicare. In 2026, employees pay 6.2% in Social Security tax on wages up to $184,500 (the wage base increased from $176,100 in 2025, per SSA), plus 1.45% in Medicare tax on all wages. That's a combined 7.65% off every paycheck — with no deductions or credits to reduce it.
Once you cross the $184,500 wage base mid-year, your Social Security tax stops for the remainder of the year, giving your paycheck a meaningful boost. For a worker earning $220,000, SS tax stops around late August. The additional 0.9% Medicare tax kicks in for wages above $200,000 for single filers ($250,000 MFJ). Employers do not withhold the additional Medicare tax at the couple level — employees who jointly exceed $250,000 on combined wages may owe this on their tax return.
The maximum Social Security contribution per employee in 2026: $184,500 × 6.2% = $11,439 (SSA).
This sounds counterintuitive, but contributing more to pre-tax accounts actually increases your net paycheck relative to the contribution cost. Here's how: a $500/month traditional 401(k) contribution reduces your taxable income by $500/month — but at a 22% marginal federal rate plus 5% state tax, it only costs you about $365 in actual take-home pay. The other $135 comes from taxes you no longer owe.
The math compounds at higher income levels. In 2026, the 401(k) elective deferral limit is $24,500 ($32,500 if you're 50+ with the $8,000 catch-up, per IRS). Maxing out a 401(k) on a $90,000 salary reduces federal + state taxable income by $24,500, saving roughly $6,600–$7,800 in taxes depending on your bracket and state. You contribute $24,500 gross, but your take-home only drops by about $17,000–$18,000. HSA contributions ($4,300 individual / $8,550 family in 2026) work the same way — they reduce FICA taxes too, not just income tax, making them exceptionally efficient.
Many people treat their annual tax refund as a windfall, but it's really an interest-free loan to the IRS. A $3,000 refund means you over-withheld by $250/month — money you could have kept in your paycheck throughout the year. Conversely, under-withholding too aggressively leads to a tax bill (plus potential underpayment penalties).
The W-4 form redesigned in 2020 replaced allowances with a more direct withholding approach. You can now input additional dollar amounts for extra withholding, or claim deductions and credits directly. To reduce over-withholding: step 3 of the W-4 lets you claim the Child Tax Credit and other credits, reducing the amount withheld per paycheck. To increase withholding (useful if you have freelance income or multiple jobs): enter an additional dollar amount on step 4(c). Use the take-home paycheck calculator to model different withholding levels and find the configuration that leaves you with the refund size you actually want.
Standard deductions are $16,100 (single), $32,200 (MFJ), $24,150 (head of household) in 2026 (IRS) — each produces different withholding.
No-income-tax states (TX, FL, WA, NV, etc.) vs. high-income-tax states (CA, NY, OR) create a 5–13% difference in net pay at the same gross.
Every dollar contributed to a 401(k), HSA, or FSA reduces taxable income and thus federal withholding.
FICA savings above $184,500 (SS ends) meaningfully increase biweekly take-home in Q3/Q4.
Withholding is computed per period — more frequent pay periods can slightly affect the withholding table calculation.
Nicole earns $65,000/year as a project manager in Las Vegas, Nevada (no state income tax). She contributes 6% to her 401(k) ($3,900/year). Biweekly gross: $2,500. Pre-tax 401(k): $150/pay period. Taxable wages: $2,350. Annual taxable income after standard deduction: ($65,000 – $3,900 – $16,100) = $45,000. Federal withholding estimated at ~12–15% effective rate = ~$6,750/year or $259.62/biweek. SS tax: $2,500 × 6.2% = $155. Medicare: $2,500 × 1.45% = $36.25. No state tax. Net biweekly paycheck: approximately $1,900.
Raj and Preethi file jointly in California. Combined income: $130,000. Pre-tax deductions: $800/month health insurance + $1,000/month combined 401(k). Taxable income estimate: $130,000 – $9,600 – $12,000 – $32,200 standard deduction = $76,200. Federal tax at MFJ brackets: approximately $8,700. California state income tax on $76,200: approximately $4,200. FICA per earner calculated on individual wages. Their combined monthly take-home after all deductions: approximately $7,850–$8,100.
1. Maximize pre-tax retirement contributions. Each dollar into a traditional 401(k) costs you only $0.72–$0.78 in take-home pay (at 22–28% combined federal/state rates) but saves the full dollar in principal.
2. Use an HSA if you qualify. An HSA contribution avoids federal income tax, state income tax (most states), and FICA — the only deduction that beats all three.
3. Review your W-4 annually. Life changes — marriage, a child, a second job, stock vesting — all affect optimal withholding.
4. If you have a high salary, track the $184,500 SS wage base. Once you cross it, your biweekly take-home increases by ~$255 per $10,000 of wages above the cap.
5. Account for state tax when comparing job offers. A $5,000 salary difference between two states can be worth more or less than it appears depending on state income tax.
Federal income tax, Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500 wage base), Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% above $200,000 single), and state income tax (if applicable). Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) and health insurance reduce the amount subject to federal and state income tax.
The Social Security (OASDI) wage base for 2026 is $184,500, up from $176,100 in 2025. Employee SS tax is 6.2%, with a maximum of $11,439 for the year (SSA).
The standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and married filing separately, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for head of household, per IRS 2026 inflation adjustments.
Traditional 401(k) contributions are pre-tax — they reduce your taxable income dollar-for-dollar. The true cost to your take-home pay is the contribution amount minus the tax you save, typically 72–80 cents per dollar depending on your bracket.
If your earnings crossed the $184,500 Social Security wage base, your SS withholding ($155+/biweek for higher earners) stops for the rest of the year — producing a noticeable bump in your take-home pay.
Yes. Select your state of employment and the calculator applies the applicable 2026 state income tax rate or bracket schedule.
Update your W-4 to reflect eligible credits (Child Tax Credit, etc.) on Step 3, or increase pre-tax deductions. The take-home paycheck calculator models the effect of any withholding adjustment before you submit a new W-4.
Employees earning above $200,000 single ($250,000 MFJ) face an extra 0.9% Medicare tax on wages above those thresholds. Employers automatically withhold this for wages above $200,000 per employee, but couples whose combined income crosses $250,000 MFJ may need to pay the remainder on their tax return.
Brief disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational and planning purposes only. Actual tax withholding, FICA taxes, and net pay depend on your specific W-4 elections, employer payroll practices, and applicable federal and state tax laws. Tax figures referenced reflect 2026 IRS data and may change. Results should be treated as planning guidance rather than tax or legal advice.