Paycheck Calculator
Calculate your 2026 take-home pay using current IRS federal brackets, FICA limits ($184,500 Social Security wage base), and all 50 state income tax rates. Supports hourly and salary inputs, pre-tax 401k/HSA/health insurance deductions, and all filing statuses.
Last updated: April 2026 · Source: IRS 2026 federal tax brackets, IRS Pub 15-T, SSA 2026 wage base
2026 federal tax brackets (single filers)
| Rate | Single taxable income | MFJ taxable income |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 | $24,800 – $100,800 |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 | $100,800 – $211,400 |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 | $211,400 – $403,550 |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 | $403,550 – $512,450 |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 | $512,450 – $768,700 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 |
Applies to taxable income after the standard deduction of $16,100 (single) or $32,200 (MFJ). Source: IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
Frequently asked questions
How does this paycheck calculator work?
It starts with your gross pay, subtracts pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, health insurance premiums), then calculates federal income tax using 2026 IRS brackets and your standard deduction, FICA taxes (Social Security 6.2% on the first $184,500 and Medicare 1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% additional Medicare above $200,000 single or $250,000 married), and state income tax. The result is your take-home pay — what actually hits your bank account each pay period.
What are the 2026 federal tax brackets?
For single filers in 2026: 10% up to $12,400, 12% to $50,400, 22% to $105,700, 24% to $201,775, 32% to $256,225, 35% to $640,600, and 37% above. Married filing jointly brackets are roughly double: 10% to $24,800, 12% to $100,800, 22% to $211,400, 24% to $403,550, 32% to $512,450, 35% to $768,700, 37% above. These brackets only apply to taxable income after the standard deduction of $16,100 single or $32,200 married.
What is FICA and how much do I pay?
FICA is the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax that funds Social Security and Medicare. For 2026: Social Security is 6.2% on your first $184,500 of wages (max $11,439 per year), Medicare is 1.45% on all wages (no cap), plus an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on wages above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married filing jointly. Your employer pays a matching amount for Social Security and regular Medicare, but not the additional Medicare surtax.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total compensation before any deductions — the number on your offer letter or employment contract. Net pay (also called "take-home pay") is what remains after all deductions: federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security, Medicare, 401k contributions, health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, and any other pre-tax or post-tax withholdings. For most workers, net pay is 65-80% of gross pay depending on state and benefit elections.
Which states have no income tax?
Nine states have no state income tax in 2026: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire (repealed its interest and dividends tax effective January 1, 2025), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Washington does levy a 7% capital gains tax on gains over $270,000, but not a traditional income tax. Tennessee and New Hampshire previously had limited dividend/interest taxes that are now fully phased out.
Do 401k contributions reduce my FICA taxes?
No. Traditional 401k contributions are pre-tax for federal and state income tax, but you still pay Social Security and Medicare (FICA) on them. This is a common misconception. Health insurance premiums and HSA contributions made through a cafeteria plan (Section 125) ARE exempt from FICA, which is why HSA payroll contributions effectively save you 7.65% more than HSA contributions made outside payroll.
How does pay frequency affect my paycheck?
Your annual gross and taxes stay the same regardless of pay frequency — only the per-paycheck amount changes. Weekly = 52 paychecks, biweekly = 26 paychecks, semi-monthly = 24 paychecks, monthly = 12 paychecks. Biweekly means two extra paychecks per year compared to semi-monthly (26 vs 24), which many people count as "bonus" paychecks in months with three pay dates, even though the annual total is identical.
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers (up from $15,750 in 2025), $32,200 for married filing jointly (up from $31,500), and $24,150 for head of household (up from $23,625). These increases are tied to inflation. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), enacted July 4, 2025, made the TCJA-level standard deduction permanent — it would have reverted to pre-2018 levels without the extension.
How accurate is state income tax in this calculator?
State income tax here uses an approximated effective rate for each state as an estimator. Actual state tax can differ because of state-specific deductions, credits, local taxes (NYC and Yonkers have city income tax, for example), and progressive bracket structures. For precise state withholding, use your state Department of Revenue withholding tables or consult a tax professional. The federal and FICA numbers shown are exact for the inputs provided.
What is withholding and how does it relate to my tax bill?
Withholding is the amount your employer deducts from each paycheck and sends to the IRS on your behalf. This calculator estimates your actual tax liability based on your income and filing status — it does not calculate exact withholding, which depends on your W-4 form entries. If your withholding is higher than your liability, you get a refund at tax time. If lower, you owe. Use the W-4 calculator to fine-tune your withholding.
How does filing status affect my paycheck?
Filing status determines your standard deduction and which tax brackets apply. Married filing jointly gets roughly double the brackets and standard deduction of single filers, which usually means lower taxes for couples where one spouse earns significantly more than the other. Head of household (for unmarried filers supporting dependents) has brackets and standard deduction between single and MFJ. Married filing separately is usually the worst status unless specific situations apply (student loan income-based repayment, disability, or legal separation).
How can I increase my take-home pay?
Four main levers: (1) Increase pre-tax 401k contributions to reduce federal and state income tax, though your net pay drops while total compensation grows. (2) Max your HSA if you have an HDHP — it reduces federal, state, AND FICA if done through payroll. (3) Adjust your W-4 to reduce withholding if you normally get a large refund (giving the government an interest-free loan). (4) Move to a no-income-tax state if remote work allows. Negotiating a raise still has the biggest total impact because it lifts every dollar of gross pay.
Data sources: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (2026 inflation adjustments); IRS Publication 15-T (employer withholding); Social Security Administration 2026 wage base; state Department of Revenue rate tables.
Last updated: April 2026. Federal tax brackets and FICA limits are updated annually by the IRS and SSA each fall.
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only and is not tax advice. State tax uses approximated effective rates; actual withholding depends on state-specific rules, local taxes, and your W-4 elections. Consult a tax professional for specific guidance.