Take-Home Pay Calculator
Estimate your net paycheck after federal income tax, FICA, pre-tax deductions, and state tax — using 2026 federal tax brackets.
Your Take-Home Pay
Annual Breakdown
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How Take-Home Pay Is Calculated
Your take-home pay is what remains after four main layers of deductions:
- Pre-tax deductions — traditional 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, HSA contributions, and similar items come out first and reduce your taxable income.
- Federal income tax — calculated on your taxable income (gross minus pre-tax deductions minus the standard deduction) using the seven 2026 tax brackets.
- FICA — Social Security (6.2% on wages up to $184,500) plus Medicare (1.45% on all wages, plus 0.9% above the high-income threshold).
- State and local tax — varies widely. Nine states have no income tax at all; others range from a flat ~3% to over 10% at high incomes.
The 2026 Numbers Behind This Calculator
- Standard deduction: $16,100 (Single), $32,200 (Joint), $24,150 (Head of Household)
- Tax brackets: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, 37%
- Social Security: 6.2% up to $184,500 in wages
- Medicare: 1.45% on all wages
Why Your Paycheck Might Differ
This is an estimate. Your actual withholding depends on the elections you made on your Form W-4, any credits you qualify for, your specific state and local rules, and other pre-tax benefits. Many people find their actual take-home pay is slightly higher than the estimate because withholding tables round in their favor, or lower because of local taxes.
To get a more precise number, compare this result with your most recent pay stub and adjust your W-4 if the difference is large.
How to Increase Your Take-Home Pay
- Maximize pre-tax accounts. A traditional 401(k) or HSA lowers taxable income — but note it lowers net pay too, while building your savings.
- Claim credits on your W-4. The Child Tax Credit and others can be reflected in your withholding so you get more per paycheck.
- Check your filing status. Married couples sometimes withhold less by filing jointly with the right W-4 setup.
- Review your withholdings annually. Life changes (marriage, a new job, a raise) can throw off your withholding and create a surprise tax bill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my take-home pay?
Start with your gross pay, then subtract pre-tax deductions (like 401(k) and health insurance), federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and state income tax. The remainder is your net pay. This calculator does all of it at once using 2026 federal tax brackets.
How much is taken out of my paycheck?
For most W-2 employees, the biggest deductions are federal income tax (based on your bracket), Social Security (6.2% up to the wage base), and Medicare (1.45%). Together, FICA alone is 7.65% of your gross pay. Federal income tax depends on your income and filing status.
Why is my take-home pay different from this estimate?
This calculator estimates federal taxes using the standard deduction and 2026 brackets. Your actual paycheck depends on your W-4 withholding elections, pre-tax benefits, state and local taxes, and any credits. Treat the result as a close estimate, not an exact withholding figure.
Does a 401(k) contribution reduce my taxes?
Yes. Traditional 401(k) contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, so they reduce your federal taxable income and your state taxable income (in most states). They do not reduce Social Security or Medicare tax, which are calculated on your gross wages.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total earnings before any deductions. Net pay (take-home pay) is what you actually receive after taxes and other deductions. The gap between them is often 20–35% of gross pay for a typical employee.
Estimates only, based on 2026 federal figures (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32). Does not include local taxes, credits, or your specific W-4 elections. Not tax advice.