How it works
Where your paycheck goes
Your gross salary is reduced by pre-tax deductions, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare (together called FICA), and in most states a state income tax. What is left is your take-home pay.
Formulas
Federal taxable income = salary − 401(k) − Section 125 − standard deductionSocial Security = 6.2% × (salary − Section 125), capped at the $184,500 wage baseMedicare = 1.45% × (salary − Section 125), plus 0.9% above $200,000 single ($250,000 joint, $125,000 separate)State and local tax = rate × (salary − 401(k) − Section 125)Take-home = salary − pre-tax deductions − federal tax − FICA − state and local taxAssumptions and limits
Federal tax uses the 2026 brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 joint, $24,150 head of household) and assumes the standard deduction, no credits and no other income. Child Tax Credit, itemized deductions and the extra senior deduction are not included, so use the Federal Income Tax Calculator for those.
State tax is an approximation. Fifteen states use one flat rate (for example Colorado 4.4%, Illinois 4.95%, Pennsylvania 3.07%, North Carolina 3.99%). Other states use graduated brackets, so the calculator fills in a typical effective rate for a middle income. Your real state tax depends on your income, deductions and credits, so edit the rate if you know it. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming do not tax wages. State disability or family-leave payroll taxes (for example in California, New Jersey and New York) are not included.
Hourly pay assumes 2,080 working hours a year (40 hours × 52 weeks).