Paycheck calculator (2026)
Take-home pay per paycheck $2,256.44 $58,667.50 a year
- Gross pay
- $2,884.62
- Federal income tax
- −$263.27
- State income tax
- Choose a state
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$178.85
- Medicare
- −$41.83
- 401(k) contribution
- −$144.23
- Take-home pay
- $2,256.44
Marginal federal rate: 22% · Marginal state
rate: 0% · Effective tax rate
(federal + state + FICA): 16.8%
Estimate for 2026 using the standard deduction. It includes federal and state income tax but not city or
county income taxes, state disability or paid-leave premiums, other pre-tax deductions (health insurance, HSA) or new
deductions such as tips or overtime. Your actual withholding depends on your W-4. Not tax advice.
This paycheck calculator shows how much of your salary you actually take home after federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare and your 401(k) contribution, both per paycheck and for the whole year. It uses the official 2026 IRS tax brackets and standard deduction, plus the income tax rules of all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How your take-home pay is calculated
- Gross pay is your annual salary divided by the number of paychecks: 52 weekly, 26 biweekly, 24 semimonthly or 12 monthly.
- Your traditional 401(k) contribution is taken out before income tax.
- The standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married filing jointly in 2026) is subtracted to get your taxable income.
- Federal income tax is applied by brackets, from 10% to 37%. Only the income inside each bracket is taxed at that bracket’s rate.
- State income tax is worked out with your state’s own deduction, exemptions and brackets. Most states also let your 401(k) contribution lower state taxable income; Pennsylvania doesn’t.
- FICA (Social Security and Medicare) is applied to your gross pay.
Example: $75,000 a year, paid every two weeks
For a single filer in Texas (no state income tax) contributing 5% to a 401(k), each biweekly paycheck works out to:
- Gross pay: $2,884.62
- Federal income tax: $263.27
- Social Security: $178.85
- Medicare: $41.83
- 401(k): $144.23
- Take-home pay: $2,256.44 ($58,667.50 a year)
The same paycheck in California loses another $95.18 to state income tax ($2,161.27 take-home), and in New York another $125.02 ($2,131.42).
Here’s a detail most people miss: without the 401(k), take-home pay would be $2,368.94. Saving $144.23 into the 401(k) only lowers each paycheck by $112.50, because the contribution also cuts about $825 a year in federal income tax.
For guidance only, not tax advice.
FAQ
How much is taken out of my paycheck for Social Security and Medicare?
Together they're called FICA. Social Security is 6.2% of your pay up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500, and Medicare is 1.45% of all your pay, plus an extra 0.9% on earnings above $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples filing jointly). Your employer pays the same 6.2% and 1.45% on top.
Does contributing to a 401(k) lower my taxes?
Yes. Traditional 401(k) contributions come out before federal income tax, so they lower your taxable income. They don't reduce Social Security or Medicare taxes.
Why doesn't this match my pay stub exactly?
Your employer withholds tax based on your W-4, and your paycheck may include other deductions such as health insurance, HSA contributions, city or county income tax, or state disability insurance. This calculator estimates your federal and state tax for the whole year and spreads it evenly across your paychecks.
Does it include state income tax?
Yes. Choose your state and the calculator applies its 2026 income tax brackets, standard deduction and personal exemptions. Nine states don't tax wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. City and county income taxes (New York City, Philadelphia, Maryland counties and others) aren't included.
Which state has the highest income tax on a paycheck?
On a $75,000 salary, Oregon takes the most, about $5,000 a year for a single filer, because its rates start at 4.75% and reach 8.75% at modest incomes. California has the highest top rate (13.3%), but it only applies above $1 million.