Free Paycheck Calculator 2026 — Estimate Your Take-Home Pay for All 50 States

How is my paycheck calculated?

Your employer starts with your gross pay then withholds federal income tax based on your W-4 elections and IRS Publication 15-T tables, Social Security at 6.2% up to the $184,500 wage base, Medicare at 1.45% per IRS Topic 751, state income tax, and any applicable state program contributions. Pre-tax deductions are subtracted before income taxes are calculated. Use this paycheck calculator to see each deduction broken down by line.

Why is my take-home pay lower than I expected?

The gap between gross and net pay reflects all withholdings. The three largest reductions are typically federal income tax (per IRS 2026 brackets), FICA contributions (per IRS Topic 751), and state income tax. For a worker earning $60,000 filing single in a moderate-tax state, total withholdings typically represent 24–28% of gross pay.

What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?

Gross pay is your earnings before any deductions. Net pay — also called take-home pay — is what remains after all required tax withholdings and voluntary deductions are applied. Your gross pay is what appears on job offer letters and salary comparisons; your net pay is what actually reaches your bank account.

What percentage of my paycheck goes to taxes?

For most workers in 2026, total federal and state withholdings represent between 18% and 35% of gross pay, depending on income level, filing status, and state. At $50,000 annual income filing single in a moderate-tax state, total withholdings typically fall around 22–26%. At $100,000 the effective rate generally rises to 28–35%. This calculator shows your specific effective rate after running your numbers. For a state-specific breakdown, see the California paycheck calculator, Texas paycheck calculator, or New York paycheck calculator.

How does filing status affect my paycheck?

Filing status determines which 2026 tax brackets and standard deduction amounts apply. Married filing jointly generally results in lower withholding because the brackets are wider and the standard deduction ($32,200) is double the single amount ($16,100). Head of household falls between single and married filing jointly in terms of withholding.

What is head of household filing status and who qualifies?

Head of household is a filing status available to unmarried individuals who paid more than half the cost of maintaining a home for a qualifying person — typically a dependent child — for more than half the year. It provides wider tax brackets and a higher standard deduction than single status, resulting in lower federal withholding per paycheck. IRS Publication 501 describes the qualifying rules in detail.

Does a 401(k) contribution reduce my taxes?

A traditional 401(k) contribution reduces your federal and state taxable income dollar-for-dollar, lowering the income tax withheld from each paycheck. The 2026 IRS contribution limit is $23,500, or $31,000 for employees aged 50 and older under catch-up rules. A 5% contribution on a $75,000 salary ($3,750 annually) can reduce annual federal withholding by approximately $450–$825 depending on your marginal bracket. If you are considering an early withdrawal from your 401(k), see the 401(k) Withdrawal Calculator to estimate the tax and penalty impact.

Does my employer’s 401(k) matching contribution affect my paycheck?

No. Employer matching contributions go directly into your 401(k) account and do not appear as taxable income on your paycheck. They do not affect your gross pay, your withholding calculations, or your net pay. Only your own contribution — which is a pre-tax deduction — reduces your taxable wages and therefore your withholding.

What states have no income tax?

Nine states in 2026: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Note that Washington has a PFML contribution of 0.46% that still appears as a paycheck deduction despite no income tax. New Hampshire taxes dividend and interest income but not wages. See the Texas paycheck calculator, Florida paycheck calculator, and Washington paycheck calculator to see how no-tax states affect your take-home pay.

How does getting a raise affect my tax bracket?

A raise does not mean all of your income is taxed at the new higher rate. The U.S. uses a progressive tax system — only the income above each bracket threshold is taxed at that bracket’s rate. If a raise pushes some of your income into the 22% bracket, only the dollars above the 12% bracket threshold are taxed at 22%. Your withholding per paycheck will increase, but your overall effective rate rises gradually rather than all at once. See the IRS 2026 brackets for the specific thresholds. Use the Pay Raise Calculator to see the net impact of a raise on your take-home pay after taxes.

What is FICA?

FICA covers Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500) and Medicare (1.45%, no cap), plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax above $200,000 for single filers. Both the employee and employer each pay half of FICA. Self-employed individuals pay both halves as self-employment tax at 15.3% total. If you work as a contractor and want to compare your W-2 take-home to a 1099 arrangement, see the 1099 vs W-2 Calculator.

What is the Social Security maximum tax for 2026?

The maximum Social Security tax an employee pays in 2026 is $11,439 — calculated as 6.2% of the $184,500 wage base. Once your year-to-date wages reach $184,500, your employer stops withholding Social Security for the remainder of the calendar year. Medicare withholding has no wage cap and continues regardless.

Why did my Social Security deduction stop mid-year?

Once your year-to-date wages reach the 2026 Social Security wage base of $184,500, your employer stops withholding the 6.2% Social Security tax for the rest of that calendar year. Medicare withholding (1.45%) continues with no cap. This is normal and results in a larger net paycheck for the remainder of the year. The cap resets to zero on January 1.

What is the difference between biweekly and semi-monthly pay?

Biweekly means you are paid every two weeks — 26 paychecks per year. Semi-monthly means twice per month — 24 paychecks per year. On the same annual salary, biweekly paychecks are slightly smaller because the salary is spread across two additional pay periods. Semi-monthly pay dates are typically the 1st and 15th, or the 15th and last day of the month. Both produce the same annual gross income; only the per-period amount differs.

How many pay periods are in 2026?

For most workers: weekly pay produces 52 paychecks, biweekly produces 26, semi-monthly produces 24, and monthly produces 12. 2026 does not produce a 27th biweekly paycheck for most payroll setups, as the calendar alignment does not create an extra full biweekly cycle for the majority of payroll start dates.

How do I change my tax withholding mid-year?

Submit a new Form W-4 to your employer’s payroll department. Your employer is required to apply the new withholding starting with the first payroll period ending on or after the 30th day from when you submitted the updated form, per IRS Publication 15. You can adjust withholding at any time during the year — common reasons include marriage, divorce, a new dependent, or a significant change in income.

Can my employer withhold too much tax from my paycheck?

Yes — overwithholding is common. It results in a larger tax refund at filing but means you gave the government an interest-free loan throughout the year. If you consistently receive a large federal refund, updating your W-4 to reduce withholding increases your per-paycheck take-home pay. The IRS Tax Withholding Estimator helps you find the right withholding level.

What happens if my employer under-withholds taxes?

If too little is withheld across the year, you may owe taxes when you file — and potentially an underpayment penalty if the shortfall is large enough. The IRS penalty generally applies when you owe more than $1,000 at filing and your withholding was less than 90% of your current-year liability or 100% of your prior-year liability. Updating your W-4 or adding additional withholding per pay period can prevent this.

How does having two jobs affect my paycheck taxes?

Each employer withholds taxes independently based on your W-4 and that employer’s pay alone. If neither employer accounts for the other, both may withhold at too low a rate — potentially leaving you with a tax bill at year-end since your combined income pushes you into a higher bracket. The IRS W-4 multi-job worksheet helps you adjust withholding at one or both employers to match your combined income.

What is the difference between a pre-tax and post-tax deduction?

A pre-tax deduction is subtracted from your gross pay before federal and state income taxes are calculated, reducing your taxable income. Examples include traditional 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums under a Section 125 plan. A post-tax deduction is subtracted after taxes are applied and does not reduce your tax liability — examples include Roth 401(k) contributions and voluntary life insurance premiums above the employer-paid basic amount.

How do I get more money in my paycheck without a raise?

Three options reduce withholding legally. First, update your W-4 — if your situation changed (marriage, new dependent, second job ended), your withholding may be higher than necessary. Second, increase your traditional 401(k) contribution — each pre-tax dollar contributed reduces your taxable income, so the net cost to your paycheck is less than the full contribution amount. Third, enroll in pre-tax benefits such as an HSA or commuter benefits if your employer offers them, as both reduce your taxable wages.

What does OASDI mean on my paycheck?

OASDI stands for Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance — the official name for Social Security under the Social Security Act. When you see OASDI on your pay stub, it refers to the same 6.2% Social Security withholding listed as FICA Social Security elsewhere. The label varies by payroll software provider.

What is SDI on my paycheck?

SDI stands for State Disability Insurance. It appears on pay stubs in states that mandate employee contributions to disability or paid leave programs. California SDI is 1.1% with no wage cap. New Jersey SDI is 0.28% capped at $161,400. Rhode Island TDI is 1.1% capped at $84,000. The deduction funds short-term disability benefits and, in California, Paid Family Leave. For a full breakdown of what California SDI covers and how it affects your paycheck, see the California paid leave guide. For New Jersey, see the New Jersey paid leave guide.

How does paid leave (PFML) affect my paycheck?

If you work in a state with a mandatory paid family and medical leave program, a small percentage of your wages is withheld each pay period to fund the program. Washington withholds 0.46% for PFML — see the Washington paid leave guide. Colorado withholds 0.45% for FAMLI — see the Colorado paid leave guide. Oregon withholds 0.6% for Paid Leave Oregon — see the Oregon paid leave guide. Massachusetts withholds 0.46% for PFML. New Jersey withholds 0.09% for FLI — see the New Jersey paid leave guide. These deductions are separate from state income tax and appear as distinct lines on your pay stub.

What is the difference between salary and hourly pay for taxes?

Salaried and hourly employees are taxed using the same federal and state brackets — the tax treatment is identical. The difference is in how gross pay is calculated per period. A salaried employee’s gross pay is their annual salary divided by the number of pay periods. An hourly employee’s gross pay is their hours worked multiplied by their rate, including overtime at 1.5× for hours above 40 per week under the federal FLSA. Because hourly pay can vary week to week, the withholding amount also varies. Use the Overtime Pay Calculator to estimate overtime earnings, or the Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Checker to determine whether you qualify for overtime pay.

What does YTD mean on my pay stub?

YTD stands for year-to-date. YTD figures on your pay stub show cumulative totals for gross pay, each tax withheld, and deductions since January 1 of the current year. Your YTD gross earnings are what your employer will report on your W-2 at year-end. Comparing your YTD federal withholding to your estimated annual tax liability helps you catch overwithholding or underwithholding before year-end. If you are separating from your employer and want to estimate your final paycheck including accrued PTO, see the Final Paycheck & PTO Calculator.

What is a W-2 and how does it relate to my paycheck?

A W-2 is the IRS Form W-2 — Wage and Tax Statement that your employer sends you by January 31 each year. It reports your total annual wages and the total amount of federal, state, and FICA taxes withheld across all your paychecks that year. Your W-2 Box 1 (wages) should roughly equal your year-to-date gross minus any pre-tax deductions. You use it to complete your federal and state tax returns. If you work as a contractor and receive a 1099 instead of a W-2, use the 1099 vs W-2 Calculator to compare the true cost difference including self-employment tax.

How do I calculate my hourly rate from my annual salary?

Divide your annual salary by 2,080 — the standard number of work hours in a year (40 hours per week × 52 weeks). A $60,000 annual salary equals approximately $28.85 per hour. If your actual schedule differs, divide your annual salary by your true annual hours. See the Salary to Hourly Calculator for a full breakdown including overtime rates.

How is overtime pay calculated?

Under the federal FLSA, overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. California applies additional rules: daily overtime kicks in after 8 hours in a day, and double-time after 12 hours, under California Labor Code. Use the Overtime Pay Calculator to estimate your overtime earnings by state. To verify whether you legally qualify for overtime as a salaried worker, see the Exempt vs. Non-Exempt Checker. For state-specific overtime laws, see the California overtime laws or Texas overtime laws guides.

How is a bonus taxed on my paycheck?

Bonuses and supplemental wages are typically withheld at a flat 22% federal rate under the IRS supplemental withholding method, rather than using your regular W-4 rate. State supplemental rates vary by state. For bonuses over $1 million in a single payment, the federal rate increases to 37%. Your actual tax liability on bonus income is settled at year-end — withholding is an estimate, and if too much or too little was withheld it is reconciled when you file.

Can I claim exempt from withholding on my W-4?

You may claim exempt only if you owed no federal income tax in the prior year and expect to owe none in the current year, as described in IRS Publication 505. Claiming exempt when you do not qualify can result in a large tax bill and potential penalties at filing. Exempt status must be renewed annually on a new W-4 and automatically expires at the end of February each year.

What if I work in one state but live in another?

In most cases you owe income tax to the state where you physically perform your work, not the state where you live. Some states have reciprocity agreements — if your state of residence and state of employment have an agreement, you may be taxed only by your home state and can file an exemption certificate with your employer. States with no income tax (Texas, Florida, Washington, etc.) create common cross-border situations. Your employer’s payroll department and each state’s Department of Revenue are the authoritative sources for reciprocity rules. See the employment law guides by state for your specific state’s rules.