Paycheck calculator — enter your salary, pay frequency and state to estimate your take-home pay after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state tax. Although every paycheck is different depending on deductions and filing status, this calculator uses verified 2026 IRS tax brackets and FICA rates to give you an accurate starting estimate. Furthermore, understanding what actually lands in your bank account — not just your gross salary — is essential whether you're evaluating a job offer, negotiating a raise or simply budgeting for the year ahead.
🧾 Paycheck Calculator 2026
2026 federal tax brackets and FICA rates — verified from IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32
* This is an estimate for informational purposes only, not tax advice. Calculations use 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deduction (IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32), 2026 FICA rates (6.2% Social Security up to $184,500 wage base, 1.45% Medicare), and a simplified state tax estimate. Actual withholding depends on your W-4 elections, pre-tax deductions (401k, health insurance), local taxes and other factors not captured here. Consult a tax professional or your payroll provider for exact figures.
How This Paycheck Calculator Works
This calculator estimates your take-home pay by subtracting four components from your gross salary: federal income tax, Social Security tax, Medicare tax and an estimated state tax. Although actual paycheck withholding also depends on your W-4 elections and any pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions or health insurance premiums, this calculator gives you a solid baseline estimate using verified 2026 tax data.
Federal Income Tax — 2026 Brackets
Federal income tax is calculated using the 2026 progressive tax brackets, which range from 10% to 37% depending on your taxable income and filing status. Furthermore, the calculator applies the 2026 standard deduction automatically — $16,100 for single filers, $32,200 for married filing jointly and $24,150 for head of household — before calculating tax owed.
| Tax Rate | Single Filers | Married Filing Jointly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $0 – $12,400 | $0 – $24,800 |
| 12% | $12,400 – $50,400 | $24,800 – $100,800 |
| 22% | $50,400 – $105,700 | $100,800 – $211,400 |
| 24% | $105,700 – $201,775 | $211,400 – $403,550 |
| 32% | $201,775 – $256,225 | $403,550 – $512,450 |
| 35% | $256,225 – $640,600 | $512,450 – $768,700 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 | Over $768,700 |
Social Security & Medicare (FICA)
Social Security tax is withheld at 6.2% of gross wages up to the 2026 wage base of $184,500 — earnings above that threshold are not subject to further Social Security tax. In contrast, Medicare tax is withheld at 1.45% of all wages with no cap, plus an additional 0.9% on wages above $200,000 for single filers or $250,000 for married couples filing jointly.
Gross Pay vs Net Pay — What's the Difference?
Gross pay is your total salary before any deductions — the number in your job offer or employment contract. Net pay, also called take-home pay, is what actually deposits into your bank account after federal tax, FICA, state tax and any other deductions like health insurance or retirement contributions. Consequently, when evaluating a job offer or negotiating a raise, the net pay figure matters far more than the gross salary — a $70,000 salary in a no-income-tax state like Texas results in meaningfully higher take-home pay than the same salary in a high-tax state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my paycheck goes to taxes in 2026?
For most employees, total tax withholding — federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and state tax — ranges from roughly 20% to 35% of gross pay, depending on income level, filing status and state of residence. Higher earners in high-tax states can see combined withholding above 35%, while lower earners in no-income-tax states often see total withholding closer to 15-20%.
What is the Social Security wage base for 2026?
The 2026 Social Security wage base is $184,500. Employees pay 6.2% Social Security tax on earnings up to this threshold — once your year-to-date wages exceed $184,500, no additional Social Security tax is withheld for the rest of the year. Medicare tax, however, continues to apply with no wage cap.
Which states have no state income tax in 2026?
Nine states currently have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. Employees in these states keep more of their gross pay since only federal tax and FICA are withheld — no state tax reduces their paycheck further.
Does this calculator account for 401(k) or health insurance deductions?
No — this calculator estimates take-home pay based on gross salary before any pre-tax deductions. If you contribute to a 401(k) or pay for health insurance through payroll deductions, your actual take-home pay will be lower than this estimate, since those deductions reduce your taxable income before federal and state tax are calculated.
Sources: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 · Social Security Administration · Updated August 2026. This tool provides estimates only and is not tax advice.
