Paycheck Calculator (US)
Your take-home pay after federal tax, Social Security and Medicare, for 2026.
Good to know. Your raise is taxed at your top rate only. The money you already earned doesn’t change bracket.
Not financial advice. Uses only the numbers and rates you enter — no live data.
How it works
In plain words
Federal income tax is charged in brackets on your pay after the standard deduction, 401(k) contributions and pre-tax benefits. Social Security takes 6.2% of pay up to $184,500 and Medicare 1.45%, plus 0.9% on pay over $200,000 ($250,000 married). State tax is your rate on pay after pre-tax deductions.
The formula
Taxable = salary − 401(k) − pre-tax benefits − standard deduction Federal = Σ bracket rate × income in that bracket Take-home = salary − 401(k) − benefits − federal − Social Security − Medicare − state
Worked example
A single filer earning 75,000 in a state without income tax: after the 16,100 standard deduction, 58,900 is taxable, and the brackets take 7,670 of federal tax. Social Security takes 4,650 and Medicare 1,087.50, leaving 61,592.50 a year, or 2,368.94 every two weeks.
Sources
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 2026 tax brackets and standard deductions.
- Social Security Administration, contribution and benefit base The 2026 Social Security wage base, $184,500.
- IRS, 401(k) limit increases to $24,500 for 2026 The employee contribution limit, and catch-up contributions of $8,000 from age 50 ($11,250 at 60 to 63).
- Internal Revenue Code §3101(b)(2) The Additional Medicare Tax of 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 married filing jointly).
Sources checked September 29, 2026. 11 automated tests check its answers on every change.
About the paycheck calculator (US)
Your paycheck is your salary minus three kinds of deductions: federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and any state or local income tax. Money you put into a 401(k) or pay for health insurance through work comes out too, but it lowers your income tax.
Federal income tax uses brackets. For 2026, a single filer pays 10% on the first $12,400 of taxable income, 12% up to $50,400, 22% up to $105,700, and so on up to 37%. Each rate applies only to the income inside its bracket, so a raise never lowers your take-home pay. Taxable income is your pay after the standard deduction ($16,100 single, $32,200 married, $24,150 head of household) and pre-tax contributions.
Social Security is 6.2% of your pay up to $184,500 a year; above that it stops. Medicare is 1.45% of all your pay, plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 for married couples). Your employer pays the same again on top, which doesn’t come out of your check.
State taxes vary a lot, from nothing in nine states to over 10% at the top in California. Enter your state’s rate as a rough guide; local city taxes such as New York City’s can be added to it. The result assumes the standard deduction and no tax credits, so parents claiming the child tax credit will usually take home more. Your employer’s withholding may differ slightly from the year-end total.
Questions people ask
How much is 75,000 a year after taxes?
For a single filer in a state without income tax in 2026, about 61,593 a year, or 2,368.94 every two weeks.
Does a 401(k) contribution lower my taxes?
Yes, traditional 401(k) contributions come out before federal and most state income tax, so each dollar costs you less than a dollar of take-home pay. Social Security and Medicare still apply.
Will a raise push me into a higher bracket and cost me money?
No. Only the part of your income above the bracket line is taxed at the higher rate. Your take-home pay always goes up.
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming don’t tax wages.