Uses 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and current Social Security and Medicare rates. Doesn't account for tax credits, itemized deductions, or local taxes beyond the flat rate you enter — actual withholding will differ. Not tax advice.
What is a take-home pay calculator?
A take-home pay calculator estimates what actually reaches your bank account after your employer withholds tax, as opposed to the gross salary figure on your offer letter.
It applies the 2026 federal income tax brackets to your income after the standard deduction, then adds Social Security (6.2% up to the annual wage base) and Medicare (1.45% with no cap). You can add a state and local rate, and any pre-tax deductions like a 401(k) contribution.
People typically use it to compare job offers honestly, to check whether a raise lands the way they expected, or to build a budget on a real number rather than an aspirational one.
Where your salary actually goes
Gross pay is a headline number. What lands in your account has passed through several deductions, each calculated differently.
Pre-tax deductions come out
401(k) contributions and most health premiums are removed before income tax is calculated, which lowers your taxable income.
Federal income tax
The standard deduction is subtracted, then the remainder is taxed through progressive brackets — not all at your top rate.
FICA and state tax
Social Security and Medicare are charged on gross wages regardless of deductions, then state and local taxes apply on top.
2026 federal figures used here
These come from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32 and the Social Security Administration's 2026 wage base announcement.
Standard deduction
| Filing status | 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Single | $16,100 |
| Married filing jointly | $32,200 |
| Head of household | $24,150 |
Federal brackets — single filer
| Rate | Taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 |
Payroll taxes (FICA)
| Tax | Rate & limit |
|---|---|
| Social Security | 6.2% on first $184,500 |
| Medicare | 1.45%, no wage limit |
| Additional Medicare | +0.9% above $200,000 |
A raise never costs you money. Moving into a higher bracket only taxes the dollars above that threshold at the new rate — everything below keeps its old rate. Your marginal rate and your effective rate are different numbers, and the effective one is always lower.
Why your real paycheck may differ
W-4 settings change withholding, not what you owe
Your employer withholds based on the W-4 you filed. Dependents, multiple jobs, and extra withholding all shift the amount taken out per paycheck. That's why a big refund isn't free money — it means you overpaid throughout the year.
Credits aren't modelled here
The Child Tax Credit, education credits, and the Earned Income Tax Credit can substantially reduce what you actually owe. Because they depend on circumstances this calculator doesn't ask about, they're excluded — so if you qualify for them, your real tax burden is lower than shown.
State taxes vary enormously
Some states have no income tax at all; others have progressive brackets exceeding 10%. Some cities add their own. Because a single field can't capture this, the calculator asks you to enter a flat estimated rate — check your state revenue department for your actual bracket.
Common questions
The things people usually want to know before trusting a number like this.
Why is my actual paycheck smaller than this shows?
The most common causes are post-tax deductions this calculator doesn't ask about: health premiums taken after tax, life or disability insurance, union dues, HSA/FSA contributions, retirement loan repayments, or wage garnishments. Your pay stub itemizes all of them.
What's the difference between marginal and effective tax rate?
Your marginal rate is the rate applied to your last dollar earned — your top bracket. Your effective rate is total tax divided by total income, blended across every bracket. Someone in the 22% bracket typically has an effective federal rate closer to 10–13%, because the earlier portions of their income were taxed at 10% and 12%.
Do 401(k) contributions reduce FICA too?
No — this trips people up. Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce your income tax but Social Security and Medicare are still charged on your full gross wages. This calculator models that correctly. (Roth 401(k) contributions reduce neither, since they're made with after-tax money.)
Is this accurate enough to plan around?
It's a reasonable estimate for budgeting and offer comparisons. It is not a substitute for a tax professional or payroll system, and it deliberately excludes credits, itemized deductions, self-employment tax, and local variations. Treat the output as an approximation, not a filing figure.
What if I'm self-employed?
This calculator assumes W-2 employment. Self-employed people pay both halves of FICA — 15.3% rather than 7.65% — though half of that is deductible, and quarterly estimated payments apply. The figures here would understate your obligation significantly.
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