Take-Home Pay Calculator
Calculate net pay after federal tax, FICA, state tax, 401(k), and insurance deductions using 2026 brackets.
2026 federal brackets, SS wage base $184,500, standard deductions.
Enter your salary details and click calculate.
What This Calculator Does
This calculator computes your actual take-home pay after all deductions from your gross salary, including federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state income tax, 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and other pre-tax deductions. It displays results per paycheck based on your pay frequency.
The Formula
Your gross salary is reduced by mandatory payroll taxes (federal income tax using 2026 brackets, Social Security at 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare at 1.45% plus 0.9% surtax above $200,000), state income tax, and voluntary pre-tax deductions like retirement contributions and health insurance premiums.
Step-by-Step Example
Enter annual gross salary
Your total compensation before any deductions. Example: $75,000.
Select filing status and pay frequency
Choose your tax filing status (single, married, head of household) and how often you are paid (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly).
Add state tax and pre-tax deductions
Enter your state income tax rate and annual amounts for 401(k), health insurance, and other pre-tax deductions.
Review per-paycheck amount
See your net pay per paycheck along with a detailed breakdown of each deduction.
Real-World Use Cases
Budgeting
Know your exact per-paycheck amount to create an accurate monthly budget.
Job Offer Comparison
Compare net take-home pay between offers with different salaries, benefits, and state tax rates.
Retirement Planning
See how increasing 401(k) contributions impacts your take-home pay and total tax burden.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Confusing gross salary with take-home pay when budgeting. Federal and state taxes plus FICA typically reduce gross pay by 25-35%.
Not accounting for pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions, which reduce taxable income and therefore reduce your tax withholding.
Forgetting the additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on wages above $200,000.
Using the wrong pay frequency when calculating per-paycheck amounts. Bi-weekly (26 paychecks) and semi-monthly (24 paychecks) produce different amounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Accuracy and Disclaimer
This calculator provides estimates using 2026 federal tax brackets and FICA rates. Actual take-home pay depends on W-4 elections, additional state/local taxes, benefit plan specifics, and other withholding adjustments. Verify with your employer payroll department.
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