Enter your salary below and see your real paycheck — after every tax and deduction, for any state.
Your income
Tax details
Deductions & benefits
Max $23,500 in 2026
Pre-tax premium
HSA, FSA, dental, etc.
Take-home
Federal tax
FICA
State tax
Deductions
⚠️ This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Actual withholding may vary based on your W-4 elections, additional income, and local taxes. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
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How your paycheck is calculated
Every paycheck starts as your gross salary and gets reduced by several layers of taxes and deductions. Understanding each one helps you negotiate smarter and plan your budget accurately.
Federal income tax
The U.S. uses a progressive tax system with 7 brackets ranging from 10% to 37% in 2026. You only pay each rate on the income within that bracket — not your entire salary. The standard deduction ($16,100 single / $32,200 married in 2026) reduces your taxable income before brackets apply.
FICA taxes (Social Security + Medicare)
Social Security is 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 (2026 wage base). Medicare is 1.45% on all wages, plus an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000. These are flat rates — no brackets.
State income tax
State taxes vary enormously. Nine states — Texas, Florida, Washington, Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota, Alaska, Tennessee, and New Hampshire — have no income tax on wages. California tops out at 13.3%. Most states fall between 3% and 6%.
Pre-tax deductions
401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, and FSA elections reduce your taxable income before federal and state taxes are calculated — making them more valuable than they appear on paper.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my actual paycheck different from this estimate?
Your W-4 elections, additional jobs, bonuses, local city taxes, state-specific credits, and employer-specific benefit deductions can all affect your actual withholding. This calculator uses standard assumptions for a single job with no additional income.
Should I increase my 401(k) contribution?
Generally yes, especially up to any employer match — that's free money. Use the 401(k) slider above to see how much each percentage point costs you in take-home pay (it's less than you think, because contributions are pre-tax).
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming have no state income tax on wages. Moving to one of these states can meaningfully increase your take-home pay at higher salary levels.
What is the 2026 Social Security wage base?
For 2026, Social Security tax applies to the first $176,100 of wages. Earnings above that threshold are exempt from the 6.2% Social Security tax, though Medicare tax still applies to all wages.
How does filing status affect my paycheck?
Married filing jointly gives you a higher standard deduction ($32,200 vs $16,100 for single) and wider tax brackets, meaning more income is taxed at lower rates. Head of household falls between the two and applies to unmarried filers supporting a dependent.