Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay after federal tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare, and pre-tax deductions.
How this paycheck calculator works
Your paycheck goes through several layers before you see a net amount: pre-tax deductions (like 401(k) contributions and health insurance premiums) come out first, then federal income tax, state/local income tax, and FICA payroll taxes (Social Security and Medicare) are calculated and withheld. This calculator walks through each of those steps using simplified, published 2025 federal tax rules.
The steps, in order
1) Pre-tax deductions (401(k) and other pre-tax benefits) reduce your taxable wages. 2) Federal income tax is calculated on what's left after pre-tax deductions and your standard deduction, using progressive tax brackets — each portion of your income is taxed at its own bracket's rate. 3) FICA taxes (6.2% Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 1.45% Medicare) apply to your wages minus health-insurance-type pre-tax deductions, but 401(k) contributions are still subject to FICA. 4) State/local tax is applied as the flat rate you enter, since state tax rules vary enormously.
What this doesn't include
This is a simplified estimate. It doesn't account for the additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on high earners, tax credits (like the Child Tax Credit), itemized deductions, multiple jobs, or state-specific rules beyond a flat percentage. For an exact number, check your pay stub or a full-service payroll calculator from your state or employer.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my paycheck smaller than gross pay divided evenly?
Federal tax brackets are progressive, and FICA and state tax are on top of that — so a meaningful percentage of every paycheck goes to taxes before you see your net pay, even before any voluntary deductions like a 401(k).
Does increasing my 401(k) contribution lower my taxes?
Yes, for a traditional (pre-tax) 401(k) — contributions reduce your federal (and usually state) taxable income, though they're still subject to Social Security and Medicare tax. A Roth 401(k) works the opposite way: taxed now, tax-free later.
Why is there a Social Security wage base?
Social Security tax only applies up to an annual income cap (an inflation-adjusted figure set by the SSA each year) — income above that cap isn't subject to the 6.2% Social Security tax, though Medicare tax has no cap.
How do I find my exact state tax rate?
Search "[your state] income tax brackets" for the current year, or check a recent pay stub to back into your effective state withholding rate, then enter that percentage above.