Paycheck Calculator
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What Your Result Means
- Net Pay: The amount deposited into your account after all deductions. This is your actual spending power per paycheck.
- Federal Income Tax: The flat-rate federal withholding applied to your gross. Real withholding uses progressive brackets and your W-4 elections, so the actual number on your pay stub may differ.
- FICA (Social Security + Medicare): These are fixed-rate payroll taxes — 6.2% for Social Security (up to the annual wage base) and 1.45% for Medicare. Your employer matches both amounts.
- Annualized Net: Your per-paycheck net multiplied by the number of pay periods in a year. Useful for budgeting, but it doesn't account for bonuses, overtime, or mid-year rate changes.
How This Calculator Works
You enter your gross pay per paycheck and your federal and state income tax rates. The tool applies those flat rates plus the standard FICA rates (6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare) to compute each deduction and your net take-home pay. It then multiplies net pay by your pay frequency to project an annualized figure. It does not model progressive tax brackets, pretax deductions, or the Social Security wage base cap.
Quick Questions
What federal tax rate should I use?
Check your most recent pay stub for the effective federal withholding percentage, or use your marginal tax bracket as a rough estimate. For 2026, the brackets range from 10% to 37% depending on taxable income and filing status.
Why doesn't this match my actual paycheck?
Real payroll uses progressive brackets, your W-4 elections, and pretax deductions like 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and HSA deposits — all of which reduce your taxable gross before withholding is calculated. This tool applies flat rates to the full gross.
Is Social Security tax always 6.2%?
Yes, up to the annual wage base ($176,100 in 2025). Earnings above that threshold are exempt from Social Security tax, though Medicare has no cap and adds an extra 0.9% surtax on high earners.
What if I'm self-employed?
Self-employed individuals pay both the employee and employer share of FICA, totaling 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare). You can deduct the employer-equivalent half on your tax return. This calculator models the employee side only.
Sources
- IRS Publication 15 (Circular E) — Employer's Tax Guide (federal withholding tables and FICA rates)
- Social Security Administration — Contribution and Benefit Base (annual wage base limits)
- IRS Topic 751 — Social Security and Medicare Withholding Rates (current FICA rates)
Method & review
Estimate only. Results reflect your inputs and standard formulas — they are not financial, tax, legal, health, or investment advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.