US Paycheck Tax Calculator

What This Calculator Does

The US Paycheck Tax Calculator empowers you to estimate your take-home pay by factoring in federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare taxes. By entering your annual salary, pay frequency, filing status, state, and pre-tax deductions, you receive a clear breakdown of your expected net income for each paycheck. This tool is designed for anyone who wants a quick, accurate, and easy way to understand how much of their salary lands in their pocket after taxes and mandatory deductions.

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter Your Annual Salary: Input your total gross income before taxes and deductions.
2. Select Your Pay Frequency: Choose how often you receive a paycheck (e.g., weekly, biweekly, monthly).
3. Choose Your Filing Status: Indicate whether you file as Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, or Head of Household.
4. Select Your State: Choose the state where you primarily work, as state taxes vary.
5. Enter Pre-tax Deductions (Annual): Add the total amount of deductions taken from your salary before taxes (like 401(k) or health insurance premiums).
6. Review Your Results: The calculator will display your Take-Home Pay, Gross Pay, and a detailed breakdown of federal, state, Social Security, and Medicare tax amounts for each pay period.

Definitions of Key Terms

Annual Salary

The total amount you earn from your employer in one year before any taxes or deductions are applied.

Pay Frequency

How often you receive your paycheck, such as weekly (52 times per year), biweekly (every two weeks, 26 times per year), semimonthly (twice per month, 24 times per year), or monthly (12 times per year).

Filing Status

Your tax filing category, which affects your federal tax rate and standard deduction. Common statuses include Single, Married Filing Jointly, Married Filing Separately, and Head of Household.

State

The US state where you work, which determines the state income tax rate applied to your earnings. Some states have no income tax.

Pre-tax Deductions (Annual)

The total annual amount deducted from your salary before taxes are calculated, such as 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, or commuter benefits. They reduce your taxable income.

Gross Pay

The total pay you earn for a pay period before any taxes or deductions are taken out.

Take-Home Pay

The amount you receive in your paycheck after all taxes and pre-tax deductions have been subtracted from your gross pay. Also known as net pay.

Federal Tax

The amount withheld from your paycheck for federal income tax, based on IRS tax brackets and your filing status.

State Tax

The amount withheld for state income tax, which varies according to your state’s tax laws and rates.

Social Security

A federal payroll tax used to fund Social Security benefits. In 2024, the rate is 6.2 percent of your taxable income up to a certain wage limit.

Medicare

A federal payroll tax that funds Medicare. The standard rate is 1.45 percent of your taxable income, with an additional 0.9 percent for high earners above a threshold.

Calculation Methodology

Start with your Annual Salary.

Subtract Pre-tax Deductions (Annual) to find Taxable Income.

Determine Pay Period Gross Pay:
Taxable Income divided by Number of Pay Periods per Year

Calculate Federal Tax:
Apply IRS tax brackets and standard deduction based on Filing Status to Taxable Income.

Calculate State Tax:
Apply your state's income tax rate(s) to Taxable Income.

Calculate Social Security:
Taxable Income up to annual wage limit multiplied by 6.2 percent, divided by Number of Pay Periods.

Calculate Medicare:
Taxable Income multiplied by 1.45 percent, divided by Number of Pay Periods.
Add additional 0.9 percent if Taxable Income exceeds Medicare threshold.

Add all taxes together to find Total Taxes per Pay Period.

Subtract Total Taxes from Pay Period Gross Pay to find Take-Home Pay per period.

This methodology ensures your paycheck estimate reflects real-world tax withholding practices, using the latest IRS guidelines and state tax rules. All calculations account for your pay frequency and allow for variable pre-tax deductions, giving you a personalized result.

Practical Scenarios

• New Job Offer: You receive a new job offer and want to know how much you will actually take home each paycheck after taxes, allowing you to compare net pay with your current position.
• Changing States: You are planning to move from Texas to California and want to see how state income tax will affect your net pay compared to your current state with no income tax.
• Adjusting Retirement Contributions: You are considering increasing your 401(k) contributions and want to see how pre-tax deductions impact your taxable income and take-home pay.
• Evaluating Different Pay Schedules: You are offered a choice between biweekly and monthly pay periods and want to understand how your taxes and net pay fluctuate based on different pay frequencies.

Advanced Tips & Best Practices

• Optimize Pre-tax Deductions: Increasing contributions to pre-tax benefits such as retirement plans or health savings accounts can lower your taxable income, potentially reducing the amount withheld for federal and state taxes.
• Review State Tax Laws: State income tax rates and rules change regularly. Always check your state’s latest tax rates and exemptions to ensure accurate calculations.
• Account for Local Taxes: Some cities and counties have their own local income taxes. If applicable, factor these into your calculations for the most precise take-home estimate.
• Adjust for Multiple Jobs or Income Sources: If you have more than one job or additional income sources, consider how combined earnings may push you into a higher tax bracket or affect your Social Security and Medicare withholdings.
• Plan for Bonuses and Overtime: One-time payments like bonuses or regular overtime can be taxed differently or at higher supplemental rates. Use the calculator to model these scenarios for better financial planning.

Frequently Asked Questions (Optional)

Does the calculator account for all possible deductions?

This calculator includes common pre-tax deductions such as retirement contributions and health insurance. If you have unique or complex deductions (like dependent care or flexible spending accounts), you can add those amounts to your total pre-tax deductions for a more accurate result.

How accurate are the tax calculations?

The calculator uses the most current IRS tax brackets and state tax rates available. Results are estimates and may differ slightly from your actual paycheck due to employer-specific withholdings, local taxes, or additional benefits.

Can I use this tool for freelance or self-employment income?

This calculator is designed for W-2 employees whose taxes are withheld by an employer. If you are self-employed, consider using a self-employment tax calculator that accounts for estimated quarterly tax payments and self-employment tax rates.