Find out how much of your paycheck you actually keep
Your salary is not the amount that lands in your bank account. Federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state taxes and paycheck deductions can reduce your earnings before payday.
Enter your pay details below to estimate your take-home pay for 2026. You can compare weekly, biweekly, twice-monthly and monthly pay without doing the tax calculations yourself.
Your paycheck calculator
Start with your gross pay, then adjust taxes and deductions. The calculator estimates an annualized W-2 paycheck, not an official employer payroll statement.
How much of your salary goes into your bank account?
Your take-home pay is your gross income minus the amounts taken out through payroll. Gross pay is what you earn before deductions; net pay is what remains afterward.
Gross pay
Includes salary, hourly wages, eligible overtime, bonuses and commissions before taxes or other paycheck deductions.
Net pay
The amount left after federal withholding, payroll taxes, state and local taxes, employee benefits and other paycheck deductions.
The take-home pay formula
The calculation is straightforward, but the tax amounts depend on filing status, taxable wages, W-4 settings, pay frequency, state, and benefits. A person earning $75,000 in one state may receive a different paycheck from another person earning the same salary elsewhere.
- Enter your salary or hourly wage. For hourly work, add regular hours and expected overtime.
- Choose your pay frequency. Weekly means 52 checks per year; biweekly usually means 26.
- Select your federal filing status. The calculator applies the corresponding 2026 brackets and standard deduction.
- Enter state and local taxes. Use a known annual amount or a planning percentage from your payroll details.
- Add employee deductions. Include retirement contributions, qualifying benefits and after-tax deductions.
- Calculate and compare. Review net pay, individual deductions and equivalent take-home amounts across frequencies.
Weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly paycheck differences
Two employees with the same annual salary can receive different amounts per paycheck simply because they have different payroll schedules. The annual earnings may be the same even when individual deposits look different.
| Pay schedule | Typical checks per year | Example gross pay on $60,000 salary | What to remember |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 | $1,153.85 | Usually paid every week |
| Biweekly | 26 | $2,307.69 | Usually paid every other week; some months contain three paydays |
| Semimonthly | 24 | $2,500.00 | Usually paid twice per month |
| Monthly | 12 | $5,000.00 | One paycheck per month |
Common mistake: Biweekly and twice-monthly payroll are not the same. Biweekly generally produces 26 checks; semimonthly produces 24. That difference matters when budgeting bills or checking an employment offer.
Federal taxes deducted from your paycheck in 2026
Most standard W-2 employees see federal income tax and FICA taxes deducted from their wages. Federal income tax is progressive, while Social Security and Medicare follow separate payroll tax rules.
2026 federal standard deduction
| Filing status | 2026 standard deduction |
|---|---|
| Single | $16,100 |
| Married filing jointly | $32,200 |
| Married filing separately | $16,100 |
| Head of household | $24,150 |
These are basic standard deduction amounts. Age, blindness, dependent status and certain other tax situations can change the deduction available on a real return. The calculator does not automatically add those special adjustments.
2026 federal income tax brackets
For single filers, the regular federal income tax schedule uses the following taxable-income ranges:
| Rate | 2026 single-filer taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0–$12,400 |
| 12% | Over $12,400–$50,400 |
| 22% | Over $50,400–$105,700 |
| 24% | Over $105,700–$201,775 |
| 32% | Over $201,775–$256,225 |
| 35% | Over $256,225–$640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 |
Only the portion of taxable income in a higher bracket is taxed at that higher rate. Entering the 22% bracket does not mean that your entire salary is taxed at 22%.
Social Security and Medicare tax
Social Security
6.2% employee rate on covered wages up to $184,500 during 2026.
Medicare
1.45% employee rate, generally without a maximum wage cap.
Additional Medicare
0.9% extra employee withholding on wages an employer pays over $200,000 in a calendar year.
How state income taxes change your take-home pay
The state where you work can materially change your net pay. Some states impose progressive individual income taxes, some use flat-rate income taxes, and others do not impose a broad individual tax on wage income.
This nationwide calculator lets you select your work state and enter an estimated state withholding percentage or annual amount. It intentionally does not invent a statewide calculation from your location alone.
States without a broad wage income tax
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming generally do not impose a broad state personal income tax on employee wages.
Other payroll taxes can still apply. Washington, for example, has employee paid-leave and other payroll-related rules, and certain workers may have additional obligations.
States with income tax withholding
California, New York, Illinois, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania and many others impose individual income taxes. Their taxable income rules, rates, withholding tables and forms differ.
Some cities and counties also impose taxes. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Maryland and certain other jurisdictions have local income-tax arrangements that may affect net pay.
How to enter an appropriate state estimate
- Check your latest paystub for state income tax withheld.
- If available, find the year-to-date state withholding and compare it with year-to-date gross wages to get a rough effective withholding percentage.
- Enter that percentage into the calculator, or choose annual dollar amount if you know your expected annual withholding.
- Add separate local wage taxes and employee payroll charges when applicable.
- For a new job or state move, use the official state tax department withholding guidance before assuming the old rate will continue.
Pre-tax versus post-tax paycheck deductions
Not every payroll deduction receives the same tax treatment. This is one of the most common reasons a quick salary-to-net calculation differs from a real paystub.
| Deduction | Common tax treatment | Impact on your paycheck |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional 401(k) | Generally reduces federal income-taxable wages but not Social Security or Medicare wages | Reduces cash pay and can reduce federal income tax |
| Roth 401(k) | Generally funded with after-tax wages | Reduces take-home pay without reducing current federal taxable wages |
| Qualifying Section 125 health benefits | May reduce income-tax and FICA-taxable wages | Can reduce current taxes and net cash pay |
| HSA contributions through qualifying payroll arrangements | May receive income-tax and FICA advantages | Tax treatment depends on how contributions are made and state rules |
| Union dues or garnishments | Often after-tax deductions | Reduce cash pay without necessarily reducing taxable wages |
| Extra W-4 withholding | Additional federal tax paid through payroll | Reduces each paycheck; may affect later refund or balance due |
The calculator separates traditional retirement contributions, qualifying pre-tax health benefits, post-tax deductions and additional withholding so they do not all receive the same federal tax treatment.
2026 paycheck examples at different salary levels
Use these examples to see how payroll math works before including taxes. Your actual after-tax number will depend on filing status, state, pay frequency and deductions.
| Annual salary | Weekly gross | Biweekly gross | Monthly gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $769.23 | $1,538.46 | $3,333.33 |
| $50,000 | $961.54 | $1,923.08 | $4,166.67 |
| $60,000 | $1,153.85 | $2,307.69 | $5,000.00 |
| $75,000 | $1,442.31 | $2,884.62 | $6,250.00 |
| $100,000 | $1,923.08 | $3,846.15 | $8,333.33 |
| $150,000 | $2,884.62 | $5,769.23 | $12,500.00 |
Example: $75,000 salary, paid biweekly
Assume you earn $75,000 annually and receive 26 paychecks. Your gross pay is approximately $2,884.62 per check before taxes or benefits.
If you are a single filer using the 2026 basic standard deduction with no other tax adjustments, your simplified estimated federal income tax is approximately $7,820 per year. Employee Social Security is approximately $4,650 and regular Medicare is approximately $1,087.50.
Before any state taxes, benefits or extra withholding, the simplified annual net is approximately $61,442.50, or $2,363.17 biweekly.
Calculate hourly wages, overtime and variable schedules
Hourly workers often need a different approach from salaried workers because the number of paid hours can change each week.
For example, a worker earning $25 an hour for 40 hours per week has annualized regular gross wages of $52,000 if those hours are paid for all 52 weeks.
With five additional eligible overtime hours per week at 1.5 times the regular rate, expected overtime adds $187.50 per week, or $9,750 over 52 weeks.
Stable hourly schedule
Use your regular hourly rate and the normal number of hours worked per week. Enter consistent overtime separately.
Changing shifts or seasonal work
Use realistic average paid hours. If you work fewer than 52 weeks, the calculator’s year-round annualization can overstate income.
Overtime tax clarification: Overtime wages are generally included in taxable wages. A potential federal deduction for qualifying overtime compensation under current law is separate from ordinary overtime payroll withholding. This calculator does not automatically apply that deduction.
How to check or change federal withholding using Form W-4
If your actual paycheck consistently differs from your expectations, first check your paystub and Form W-4 settings. A new job, marriage, second job, dependent, bonus or major income change may justify reviewing withholding.
- Open the official IRS estimator: Visit IRS Tax Withholding Estimator.
- Gather your information: Have recent paystubs, your filing status, expected income and relevant deduction/credit information available. Include spouse or other job information where required.
- Complete the questions: Enter your employment income, federal withholding and expected adjustments into the IRS tool.
- Review the estimate: Check whether the projected withholding could result in a refund or a balance due, based on the information entered.
- Use the recommendation: Follow the IRS estimator guidance to prepare an updated Form W-4 if a change is needed.
- Submit your W-4 to payroll: Give it to your employer or update it through your employer’s approved payroll portal. Do not send your W-4 to TaxCalculatorUSA.org.
- Check your next paystub: Confirm that the change has been processed. Payroll timing can affect when the new amount appears.
What the five W-4 steps generally cover
| Form W-4 section | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Step 1 | Personal information and filing status |
| Step 2 | Multiple jobs or spouse employment |
| Step 3 | Dependents and other credits |
| Step 4 | Other income, deductions and extra withholding |
| Step 5 | Signature and certification |
For the current form and instructions, use the official IRS Form W-4 page. The 2026 form includes updates related to certain tax deductions and exemption claims; use the current form rather than relying on old instructions.
Why your actual paycheck may differ from the calculator
| What you notice | Possible explanation | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| Actual deposit is smaller | Missing benefits, local tax, extra withholding or garnishment | Compare every deduction on your paystub |
| Federal withholding is higher | Multiple-jobs W-4 adjustment, extra withholding or payroll-specific tables | Review the W-4 and IRS estimator |
| Bonus paycheck is unexpectedly small | Supplemental-wage withholding and other payroll deductions | Ask payroll how the bonus was handled |
| State withholding seems incorrect | Wrong tax assumption, state form settings or local tax requirements | Check official state withholding tables |
| Social Security changes later in the year | Wage-base limit has been reached | Review year-to-date Social Security wages |
| Paycheck differs after switching jobs | New W-4 settings, employer benefit plans or year-to-date limits | Compare old and new paystubs separately |
| Biweekly pay does not match semimonthly estimate | 26 paydays versus 24 paydays | Confirm your exact payroll schedule |
What to look for on a paystub
- Gross wages for the pay period and year to date
- Federal income tax withholding
- Social Security and Medicare withholding
- State and local income tax withholding
- Health, retirement and other benefit contributions
- Post-tax deductions, garnishments or employer-specific items
- Net earnings and payment date
What this 2026 paycheck calculator includes and excludes
Included
- Annual salary and hourly income
- Regular hours and assumed 1.5× overtime
- Annual bonus and commission estimates
- 2026 federal progressive tax brackets
- Basic standard or custom itemized deduction
- Social Security wage limit
- Regular and additional employer-style Medicare withholding
- Manually entered state and local taxes
- Traditional retirement, qualifying health and post-tax deductions
- Weekly, biweekly, semimonthly and monthly results
Not automatically calculated
- Detailed state-by-state withholding tables
- Exact IRS Publication 15-T W-4 payroll calculations
- Multiple jobs and spouse income coordination
- Self-employment tax for 1099 contractors
- Special treatment for clergy or railroad employees
- Qualified tips/overtime tax deduction claims
- Special age-related or dependent standard deductions
- Complex federal credits, AMT, NIIT or tax filing adjustments
- Year-to-date employer withholding transitions
- Automatic benefit-plan eligibility or contribution limits
Use the tool as a consistent first estimate. For payroll reconciliation, combine your actual paystub, employer records, state revenue department guidance and the IRS withholding estimator.
Official sources for 2026 paycheck and withholding rules
The calculator’s federal tax assumptions are based on IRS and Social Security Administration materials. Use the following official resources to verify a tax figure or complete a withholding-related action.
- IRS — 2026 tax inflation adjustments
Federal marginal rates and standard deduction figures.
- IRS Publication 505 — Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax
Tax-rate schedules and estimated-tax planning.
- IRS Publication 15-T — Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
Employer withholding methods and Form W-4 payroll calculations.
- Social Security Administration — Contribution and Benefit Base
2026 Social Security wage cap and tax rate.
- IRS Topic 560 — Additional Medicare Tax
Employee withholding and filing thresholds.
- IRS Tax Withholding Estimator
Official interactive federal withholding review.
- IRS Form W-4
Current employee withholding certificate and instructions.
- IRS — State Government Websites
Starting point for locating state tax authorities and their withholding information.
Official links lead directly to government resources. TaxCalculatorUSA.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by the IRS, SSA or state tax departments.
2026 paycheck calculator FAQs
1. How do I calculate my take-home pay in 2026?
Start with gross salary or hourly wages. Subtract estimated federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, applicable state and local income taxes, benefits and other deductions. Use the calculator above to estimate the total and divide it by the number of annual paychecks.
2. How much federal tax comes out of a paycheck in 2026?
There is no single federal withholding rate for every employee. Your earnings, filing status, Form W-4 elections, pay period, deductions and credits all matter. The calculator uses 2026 progressive federal income tax brackets to provide an annualized estimate.
3. What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your compensation before payroll deductions. Net pay is the amount left after taxes, benefit contributions and other deductions. Net pay is generally the amount deposited into your bank account.
4. How many biweekly paychecks are there in a year?
A standard biweekly schedule generally has 26 paychecks in a year, although calendar alignment can occasionally produce 27 pay dates. Semimonthly payroll normally has 24. Verify the actual schedule with your employer.
5. Does the calculator include state income tax?
Yes, when you enter your estimated state income tax percentage or annual amount. It does not automatically determine state tax from the state selector. Separate local taxes and other employee payroll charges can also be entered manually.
6. What is the Social Security tax limit for 2026?
The 2026 Social Security taxable wage base is $184,500. Covered employees generally pay 6.2% on wages up to that annual limit. Regular Medicare tax is not subject to the same wage cap.
7. Will contributing to a 401(k) increase my take-home pay?
A traditional 401(k) contribution generally reduces current federal taxable income but also reduces the cash available in your paycheck. The tax savings can offset part of the contribution, but it does not make the contribution free. Roth 401(k) contributions usually do not lower current federal taxable income.
8. Why is my paycheck smaller than the calculator result?
Your employer may deduct insurance, retirement contributions, state disability insurance, local income tax, garnishments, extra withholding or other items that were not entered. Federal withholding also uses payroll-specific Form W-4 calculations. Compare the estimate with every deduction on your paystub.
9. Are overtime pay and bonuses included in the calculator?
Yes. Hourly mode can include overtime at an assumed 1.5 times the base hourly rate. Annual bonus and commission income can also be added. Actual payroll may use different overtime rules or supplemental-wage withholding, so a specific bonus paycheck may differ from the annualized result.
10. Is this paycheck calculator the same as the IRS withholding estimator?
No. This is an independent planning calculator that estimates annual federal tax, payroll taxes and user-entered deductions. The official IRS withholding estimator uses additional information to help employees review Form W-4 withholding. Use the IRS tool when preparing withholding changes for your employer.