US Paycheck Calculator 2026
Calculate federal tax, FICA, pre-tax deductions, and state tax rules to estimate your exact take-home pay.
Calculator Options
Salary Distribution
Paycheck Period Breakdown
| Withholding | Yearly | Monthly | Bi-weekly | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $75,000 | $6,250 | $2,885 | $1,442 |
| Pre-Tax 401(k) | $3,750 | $313 | $144 | $72 |
| Federal Income Tax | $7,047 | $587 | $271 | $136 |
| State Income Tax | $3,037 | $253 | $117 | $58 |
| Social Security (FICA) | $4,650 | $388 | $179 | $89 |
| Medicare (FICA) | $1,088 | $91 | $42 | $21 |
| Net Pay (Take-Home) | $55,429 | $4,619 | $2,132 | $1,066 |
Estimate your net take-home paycheck using our detailed US paycheck calculator. Updated with the latest IRS tax schedules and FICA caps for the 2026 calendar year, this tool accounts for progressive federal tax brackets, standard deductions, FICA payroll taxes, state income taxes, and pre-tax deductions.
Input traditional pre-tax savings like 401(k) contributions and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to see how they lower your taxable income and increase your total overall compensation value.
US Federal Income Tax Brackets 2026
Federal income taxes in the US are progressive. Your tax rate rises as your taxable income exceeds certain thresholds. Taxable income is calculated after subtracting pre-tax benefits and your standard deduction.
2026 Federal Brackets (Single Taxpayers)
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income Threshold |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $11,925 |
| 12% | $11,926 to $48,475 |
| 22% | $48,476 to $103,350 |
| 24% | $103,351 to $197,300 |
| 32% | $197,301 to $250,525 |
| 35% | $250,526 to $626,350 |
| 37% | Above $626,350 |
2026 Federal Brackets (Married Filing Jointly)
| Tax Rate | Taxable Income Threshold |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $23,850 |
| 12% | $23,851 to $96,950 |
| 22% | $96,951 to $206,700 |
| 24% | $206,701 to $394,600 |
| 32% | $394,601 to $501,050 |
| 35% | $501,051 to $751,600 |
| 37% | Above $751,600 |
FICA Payroll Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) is a mandatory payroll tax withheld from employee checks:
- Social Security: Deducted at 6.2% on wages up to the maximum wage base cap of $184,500.
- Medicare: Deducted at 1.45% on all earned income.
- Additional Medicare: High earners pay an extra 0.9% on wages over $200,000 for Single/Head of Household ($250,000 for Married Filing Jointly).
How to Use This Calculator
- Input Earnings: Enter your gross salary and select pay frequency (Annual, Monthly, Bi-weekly, Weekly, or Hourly).
- Select Status & State: Pick your filing status and select your state from the dropdown menu to apply appropriate local tax schedules.
- Input Pre-Tax Contributions: Enter traditional 401(k) rates (percentage or flat amount) and HSA annual amounts.
- Add Withholding Adjustments: Add any extra federal withholding requested on your W-4 form.
- Calculate and Analyze: Hit calculate to view your visual paycheck distribution and period tables.
Worked Example: $75,000 Salary (Single, Texas Expat)
Here is how a $75,000 gross annual salary for a single taxpayer in Texas (no state income tax) is calculated:
- Gross Salary: $75,000.
- Standard Deduction: $16,100 is deducted from gross income.
- Taxable Income: $75,000 β $16,100 = $58,900.
- Federal Tax: 10% on first $11,925 ($1,192.50) + 12% on the next $36,550 ($4,386.00) + 22% on the remaining $10,425 ($2,293.50) = $7,872.00.
- FICA Withholding: Social Security at 6.2% ($4,650) + Medicare at 1.45% ($1,087.50) = $5,737.50.
- State Tax: $0.
- Net Take-Home Pay: $75,000 β $7,872.00 (Fed Tax) β $5,737.50 (FICA) = $61,390.50 annually ($5,115.88 monthly).
State Income Taxes Overview
Most US states levy an additional income tax on wages. State structures vary:
- Flat Tax States: Colorado (4.4%), Illinois (4.95%), Indiana (3.05%), Michigan (4.25%), North Carolina (4.5%), and Pennsylvania (3.07%) tax all wage income at a single rate.
- Progressive States: California, New York, and New Jersey apply progressive brackets with high marginal rates (e.g. up to 12.3% or 13.3% in CA).
- No Tax States: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming have no state income tax on wage income.
How to Increase Your US Paycheck Net Value
- Contribute Pre-Tax to a 401(k): Traditional 401(k) allocations lower your federal adjusted gross income, meaning you pay less income tax today.
- Fund a Health Savings Account (HSA): HSAs are triple-tax advantaged. Contributions are 100% pre-tax, grow tax-free, and withdrawals for medical costs are 100% tax-free.
- Optimize Your W-4 Withholdings: Adjusting your W-4 withholding entries prevents you from granting the government an interest-free loan through a massive annual refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard deduction for 2026?
How are FICA taxes calculated?
Does contributing to a 401(k) reduce my federal tax?
What is the difference between Single and Head of Household filing?
When do I pay the additional 0.9% Medicare tax?
Which states have no state income tax?
Paycheck Calculator by State β All 50 US States
State income taxes vary significantly across the US β from zero-tax states like Texas and Florida to high-tax states like California (up to 13.3%) and New York (up to 11.4%). Select your state below to see your exact take-home pay: