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United States • Tax
Take-Home Pay Calculator & Paycheck Tax Calculator 2026
Calculate your take-home pay after federal and state taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and other deductions with our paycheck tax calculator.
Your paycheck take-home pay is calculated by subtracting mandatory deductions from your gross pay:
- FICA Taxes: 6.2% for Social Security (up to $176,100 of wages in 2026) and 1.45% for Medicare (plus 0.9% additional Medicare tax on wages over $200,000).
- Federal Income Tax: Estimated based on your annual income, filing status, and standard deduction using 2026 progressive tax brackets.
- State Income Tax: Estimated using standard state brackets or flat rate averages.
- Pre-tax Deductions: Contributions to retirement accounts (like 401k) and health insurance premiums which reduce your taxable income.
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How Your Take-Home Pay is Determined
Your paycheck is subject to mandatory federal withholding taxes, state income taxes (if applicable), and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) deductions for Social Security and Medicare. Estimating these withholdings ensures your tax settings are correct.
Calculating Your Paycheck Deductions Step-by-Step
To convert your gross salary to net pay, perform these deduction steps:
- Determine Gross Pay per Period: Divide your annual salary by the number of pay periods (e.g., 26 for bi-weekly).
- Subtract Pre-Tax Deductions: Deduct traditional 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, or FSA deposits.
- Calculate FICA Taxes: Deduct 6.2% for Social Security (up to the annual wage limit) and 1.45% for Medicare.
- Compute Federal Income Tax: Estimate withholding based on W-4 selections, filing status, and tax bracket rates.
- Deduct State & Local Taxes: Apply local state progressive rates (or flat taxes) to the taxable income.
Mandatory FICA & Federal Paycheck Rates (2026)
| Parameter / Bracket | Rate / Amount |
|---|---|
| Social Security Rate (Employee) | 6.20% |
| Social Security Wage Cap | $176,100 (Est.) |
| Medicare Rate (Employee) | 1.45% |
| Additional Medicare Tax (Income > $200k) | 0.90% |
Frequently Asked Questions about US Paychecks
The amount of income tax deducted depends on your gross pay, filing status, and allowances specified on your Form W-4. Typically, employers withhold between 10% and 30% of gross wages for federal, state, and local income taxes, plus FICA payroll taxes (6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare).
Nine states do not have a state-level personal income tax on paycheck earnings: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. If you reside and work in one of these states, only federal income tax and FICA taxes will be deducted from your paycheck.
FICA stands for the Federal Insurance Contributions Act. It is a federal payroll tax that funds Social Security and Medicare.
Your W-4 form tells your employer how much federal income tax to withhold based on your filing status, dependents, and other adjustments. Claiming more deductions reduces withholdings and increases your take-home pay, but may lead to tax owed at tax filing time.