Paycheck Calculator

Estimate your take-home pay after federal taxes, Social Security, Medicare, and pre-tax deductions. Convert between hourly, weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, monthly, and annual pay.

Important Notice

This calculator provides ESTIMATES of federal tax withholding for informational purposes only. Results may differ from your actual paycheck.

THIS IS NOT TAX ADVICE. Consult a qualified tax professional.

Income Information
Your gross pay before taxes and deductions
Federal Tax
Extra amount to withhold per pay period (from W-4 line 4c)
State & Local Taxes
Enter your expected state/local tax withholding. Check your pay stub or state tax calculator.
Note: This calculator estimates federal taxes only. State/local taxes vary significantly by location and are entered manually.
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Enter your income details above, then click Calculate Paycheck to see your estimated take-home pay.

Understanding Your Paycheck

Federal Income Tax

Federal income tax is withheld from each paycheck based on your filing status, income level, and W-4 elections. The IRS uses the percentage method from Publication 15-T to calculate withholding. Tax brackets for 2025 range from 10% to 37%.

FICA Taxes

FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes fund Social Security and Medicare:

  • Social Security: 6.2% up to $176,100 (2025)
  • Medicare: 1.45% on all wages
  • Additional Medicare: 0.9% on wages above $200K (single) or $250K (married)

Pre-Tax Deductions

Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income, lowering your tax burden:

  • 401(k): Reduces federal/state tax, not FICA
  • Health Insurance: Reduces both income tax and FICA
  • HSA/FSA: Reduces both income tax and FICA

State & Local Taxes

State income tax rates vary significantly. Some states (TX, FL, WA, NV, etc.) have no income tax. Others have flat rates (IL, PA) or progressive brackets (CA, NY). Local taxes may also apply in some cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is federal income tax calculated on my paycheck?

Federal income tax is calculated using the IRS percentage method from Publication 15-T. Your wages are adjusted for pre-tax deductions, annualized, and then the standard deduction is applied based on your filing status. The resulting taxable income is then taxed using progressive tax brackets ranging from 10% to 37%.

What are FICA taxes?

FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes fund Social Security and Medicare programs:

  • Social Security: 6.2% of wages up to the annual wage base ($176,100 for 2025)
  • Medicare: 1.45% of all wages with no limit
  • Additional Medicare: High earners pay an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly)

How do pre-tax deductions affect my paycheck?

Pre-tax deductions reduce your taxable income before taxes are calculated:

  • 401(k) contributions: Reduce federal and state income tax, but are still subject to FICA taxes
  • Health insurance & HSA/FSA: Under Section 125 cafeteria plans, these reduce both income taxes AND FICA taxes

The more you contribute pre-tax, the lower your tax withholding will be.

Why might my actual paycheck differ from this estimate?

Your actual paycheck may differ due to:

  • Your employer's specific payroll system and configurations
  • Additional deductions not captured here (union dues, garnishments, etc.)
  • Rounding differences in withholding calculations
  • State and local taxes (entered manually in this calculator)
  • Bonus or overtime pay taxed at different rates

What is the Social Security wage base?

The Social Security wage base is the maximum amount of earnings subject to Social Security tax each year. For 2025, this limit is $176,100. Once you've earned this amount in a calendar year, no more Social Security tax is withheld from your paychecks for the rest of that year.

Official IRS Resources

Verify Your Withholding

For a more precise estimate, use official IRS tools:

Important Tax Disclaimer

This paycheck calculator is for educational and estimation purposes only. It is not tax advice and should not be used as a tool for tax preparation or filing.

Actual paycheck amounts may differ based on:

  • Your employer's specific payroll system and configurations
  • Pre-tax benefits and deductions not captured here
  • State and local tax withholding (varies by location)
  • Rounding differences in withholding calculations
  • Changes in tax law

Always verify calculations with your employer's payroll department or a qualified tax professional.

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