Take-Home-Paycheck Calculator
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Enter 0 for states with no income tax
Result
Enter your values, then select Calculate.
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What comes out between gross and net
Three big pieces usually separate gross pay from your deposit: federal income tax withholding, the employee share of FICA (6.2% Social Security on wages up to the annual cap, plus 1.45% Medicare on all wages), and any state or local income tax. This calculator estimates all three and divides the remainder across your pay periods.
Simplifications to keep in mind
- Federal tax is computed from annual brackets and the standard deduction, not the IRS withholding tables your employer uses with your W-4.
- Pre-tax benefits (retirement contributions, health insurance, HSA) reduce taxable income before this math happens — this tool does not model them.
- Local taxes, additional Medicare over $200k, and post-tax deductions are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my real paycheck different?
Your W-4 elections, pre-tax deductions, extra withholding, and local taxes all shift the result. This calculator gives the standard-deduction baseline so you can see roughly where the money goes.
What is FICA?
The Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax funds Social Security and Medicare. Employees pay 6.2% of wages up to the yearly Social Security wage base plus 1.45% Medicare with no cap; employers match those amounts.