Paycheck Calculator

Paycheck Calculator

How to Use the Paycheck Calculator

1. 1

   Enter your pay

   Use the Annual salary tab for a yearly salary, or the Hourly wage tab to enter your rate and hours per week. Hourly pay is annualized as rate x hours x 52 weeks.

2. 2

   Pick pay frequency and filing status

   Choose weekly, every two weeks, twice a month or monthly, and Single, Married filing jointly or Head of household.

3. 3

   Add pre-tax deductions per paycheck

   Enter your traditional 401(k) or 403(b) contribution in the first box and health, dental and vision premiums, HSA and FSA contributions in the second. They are treated differently for Social Security and Medicare.

4. 4

   Add a state rate and read the breakdown

   Optionally enter a flat state income tax rate. The table shows every line per paycheck and per year, ending with your net take-home pay.

How the paycheck estimate works

The calculator converts your pay to an annual figure, estimates a full year of tax, then divides by the number of paychecks: 52 weekly, 26 biweekly, 24 semimonthly or 12 monthly. Federal income tax is figured on gross pay minus all pre-tax deductions minus the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly, $24,150 head of household for 2026), run through the 2026 brackets.

Social Security and Medicare (FICA) are figured on gross pay minus Section 125 cafeteria-plan deductions only, because traditional 401(k) deferrals are still subject to FICA. Any state rate you enter is applied to the same wages as federal income tax.

Federal = brackets(annual gross - pre-tax deductions - standard deduction) / paychecks; Social Security = 6.2% x (gross - Section 125), up to $184,500 a year; Medicare = 1.45% x (gross - Section 125) + 0.9% above the threshold; Net = gross - pre-tax deductions - federal - FICA - state

Worked example: $65,000 salary paid every two weeks

A single filer earning $65,000, paid biweekly, with no deductions and no state income tax:

• Gross per paycheck: $65,000 / 26 = $2,500.00
• Taxable income for the year: $65,000 - $16,100 = $48,900; federal tax $5,620, or $216.15 per paycheck
• Social Security: 6.2% x $2,500 = $155.00. Medicare: 1.45% x $2,500 = $36.25
• Take-home pay: $2,092.60 per paycheck, $54,407.50 a year
• Now add $150 per paycheck to a 401(k), $100 for health insurance and a 4.5% state tax: federal drops to $186.15, Social Security to $148.80 and Medicare to $34.80, state tax is $101.25, and take-home pay is $1,779.00
• Hourly example: $25 an hour for 40 hours, paid weekly, single, no state tax: $1,000.00 gross, $78.08 federal, $62.00 Social Security, $14.50 Medicare, $845.42 take-home

Take-home pay by salary (single, biweekly)

Calculated with this tool for a single filer, standard deduction, no pre-tax deductions and no state or local income tax.

Why your real paycheck may differ

• Withholding method: employers follow IRS Publication 15-T and your Form W-4. This tool estimates your annual tax liability instead, so it approximates, not replicates, what is withheld. A refund or balance due at filing time reflects that gap.
• Form W-4 entries: dependents, other income, extra withholding or the multiple-jobs checkbox all change withholding. Use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator to fine-tune your W-4.
• Social Security timing: if you earn more than $184,500, Social Security stops once you reach the wage base, so later paychecks are larger than earlier ones. The tool shows the yearly average.
• Additional Medicare Tax: employers withhold the extra 0.9% on wages over $200,000 no matter your filing status; the tool shows your actual liability, using $250,000 for joint filers, and the difference is settled on Form 8959.
• State and local rules vary: states use their own brackets, deductions and credits, some cities add income tax, and a few states charge disability or paid-leave payroll taxes. A single flat rate is only a rough stand-in.
• After-tax deductions such as Roth 401(k) contributions, union dues or wage garnishments are not included.

Legal ways to raise your take-home pay or lower your tax

• Contribute to a traditional 401(k) or 403(b): up to $24,500 in 2026, plus $8,000 if you are 50 or older. In the example, $200 per paycheck to a 401(k) lowers take-home pay by only $176, because federal tax falls by $24.
• Use your employer's Section 125 plan for health premiums, an HSA or an FSA. These deductions skip income tax and Social Security and Medicare. HSA limits for 2026 are $4,400 self-only and $8,750 family.
• Check your W-4 once a year. It does not change your total tax, but a big refund means you lent the IRS money interest-free; adjusting it raises each paycheck.
• Claim the new Schedule 1-A deductions on your return if you qualify, such as qualified tips up to $25,000 or qualified overtime pay up to $12,500 ($25,000 joint) for 2025 through 2028. They phase out at higher incomes, and this paycheck estimate does not include them.
• Never ask to be paid off the books or as a contractor when you are really an employee. Misclassification is illegal and costs you Social Security credits and protections.

Estimate only

This tool estimates federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and an optional flat state tax for 2026. It does not include tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit, itemized deductions, local income taxes or state payroll taxes, and it does not support married filing separately. It is not tax or payroll advice; for your actual withholding, check your pay stub and consult your payroll department, a CPA or an enrolled agent.

Features

• Annual salary or hourly rate x hours per week
• Weekly, biweekly, semimonthly or monthly pay frequency
• Separates 401(k) deferrals (income tax only) from Section 125 health, HSA and FSA deductions (income tax and FICA)
• Social Security up to the 2026 wage base, Medicare and Additional Medicare Tax
• Optional flat state income tax rate
• Per-paycheck and per-year breakdown of gross pay, each tax and net pay

Frequently Asked Questions