Take-Home Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your 2026 net paycheck after federal taxes, FICA, state and local taxes, and deductions.
Annual gross pay
Child Tax Credit ($2,200 each)
Other Dependent Credit ($500 each)
Interest, dividends, retirement income
401k, health insurance, HSA, etc.
IRA, student loan interest, etc.
Mortgage interest, SALT, property taxes, etc.
Estimated flat rate for your state
Estimated city/county tax rate
Adds one 2026 age-based standard and senior deduction estimate
2026 deduction cap and phaseout applied
Amount above regular pay; 2026 cap and phaseout applied
Max $10,000 before income phaseout
Cash gifts; 2026 limits estimated
Pays both employee & employer FICA (15.3%)
Paycheck planning
What Is Take-Home Pay?
A take-home paycheck calculator helps you estimate how much money you will actually receive from each paycheck after taxes and deductions. Your gross pay is the amount you earn before anything is taken out. Your take-home pay, also called net pay, is the amount left after federal tax, state tax, local tax, Social Security, Medicare, and deductions.
This calculator is useful for employees, hourly workers, salaried workers, freelancers comparing W-2 jobs, job seekers, and anyone planning a monthly budget. It can help answer questions like:
- How much will my paycheck be after taxes?
- What is my biweekly take-home pay?
- How much federal tax comes out of my paycheck?
- How much do Social Security and Medicare reduce my pay?
- How do 401(k), HSA, and insurance deductions affect net pay?
- How much will I take home after a raise or bonus?
The formula
Gross pay is the full amount you earn. Net pay is what reaches your bank account. For example, if your gross biweekly pay is $3,000 and taxes and deductions are $850, your take-home paycheck is: $3,000 - $850 = $2,150.
Definitions
Gross Pay vs Net Pay
Gross pay and net pay are not the same. A salary may look high, but the take-home amount can be much lower after taxes, health insurance, retirement contributions, and other deductions.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Gross pay | Pay before taxes and deductions |
| Net pay | Pay after taxes and deductions |
| Pre-tax deduction | Deducted before some taxes are calculated |
| Post-tax deduction | Deducted after taxes are calculated |
Taxes
What Taxes Are Taken Out?
- Federal Income Tax
- Based on taxable income, filing status, tax year, and withholding settings. The U.S. system is progressive.
- State & Local Income Tax
- Some states have income tax, some do not. Some cities and counties also collect local income tax.
- Social Security Tax
- Generally 6.2% for employees up to the annual wage base. For 2026, the wage base is $184,500.
- Medicare Tax
- Generally 1.45% of covered wages, and there is no wage base limit. Higher-income workers may owe Additional Medicare Tax.
Pay schedule
Paycheck Frequency
Your pay frequency changes the size of each paycheck.
| Pay Frequency | Paychecks per Year |
|---|---|
| Weekly | 52 |
| Biweekly | 26 |
| Semi-monthly | 24 |
| Monthly | 12 |
| Annual | 1 |
Before taxes
Pre-Tax Deductions
Pre-tax deductions are taken out before some taxes are calculated. They can reduce taxable income. Common examples include:
After taxes
Post-Tax Deductions
Post-tax deductions are taken after taxes are calculated. They reduce take-home pay, but usually do not reduce taxable income.
Federal deductions
Federal Standard Deductions
For 2026, the IRS says the standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for heads of household.
| Tax Year | Single | Married Filing Jointly | Head of Household |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $16,100 | $32,200 | $24,150 |
| 2025 | $15,750 | $31,500 | $23,625 |
| 2024 | $14,600 | $29,200 | $21,900 |
Common Paycheck Calculator Mistakes
Using Gross Pay as Take-Home Pay
Gross pay is before taxes. Net pay is after taxes and deductions.
Forgetting FICA Taxes
Social Security and Medicare are separate from federal income tax.
Ignoring State and Local Taxes
State and local taxes can change net pay significantly.
Confusing Biweekly and Semi-Monthly
Biweekly means 26 paychecks per year. Semi-monthly means 24 paychecks per year.
Ignoring Pre-Tax Deductions
401(k), HSA, FSA, and insurance can affect taxable income.
Using the Wrong Tax Year
Tax brackets and standard deductions change over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
A take-home paycheck calculator estimates the money you receive after taxes and deductions are taken from gross pay.
Take-home pay is net pay after federal tax, state tax, local tax, Social Security, Medicare, and deductions.
Take-Home Pay = Gross Pay − Taxes − Pre-Tax Deductions − Post-Tax Deductions
Yes. It uses federal tax brackets for the selected tax year and filing status.
Yes. A good paycheck calculator includes Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Social Security tax is generally 6.2% for employees up to the annual wage base. For 2026, the wage base is $184,500.
Medicare tax is generally 1.45% of covered wages, with no wage base limit.
Weekly pay means 52 paychecks per year. Biweekly means 26 paychecks per year.
Your paycheck is lower because taxes, insurance, retirement contributions, and other deductions may be withheld.
No. It is an estimate. Actual payroll results depend on employer withholding rules, W-4 settings, benefit deductions, tax year, state rules, and local rules.
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