Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal tax, FICA, state tax, and pre-tax deductions. 2026 brackets.
FAQ
How accurate is this?
Uses 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA (6.2% Social Security on wages up to $174,900 + 1.45% Medicare + 0.9% additional Medicare above the threshold), and a simplified per-state effective income tax rate. For exact federal withholding use the IRS Tax Withholding Estimator.
What's not included?
Local taxes (NYC, SF, Philadelphia), itemized deductions, tax credits, multiple jobs, garnishments, after-tax 401(k), and Roth contributions.
Why is so much withheld?
Federal + FICA + state often total 25–35% of gross. Pre-tax deductions reduce taxable income — usually the biggest lever to lower withholding.
What's the difference between marginal and effective rate?
Marginal rate is the tax on your next dollar (your top bracket). Effective rate is total tax divided by total income, always lower because earlier dollars are taxed at lower rates.
Do you store my info?
No. All calculation happens in your browser. Inputs are saved to your browser's local storage so they persist on refresh, but nothing is sent to any server.
Disclaimer. Estimates only. State tax uses a simplified effective rate; multi-bracket and local taxes are not modeled. Actual withholding depends on your W-4 and employer. Consult a CPA for tax planning.