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Paycheck Calculator

Estimate net take-home pay based on salary inputs, pay schedules, filing status, and pre-tax deductions.

Inputs
Results
Net Take-Home Pay (Per Paycheck)
$0.00
Gross Paycheck Amount $0.00
Federal Income Tax Withholding - $0.00
FICA Social Security Tax (6.2%) - $0.00
FICA Medicare Tax (1.45%) - $0.00
Pre-Tax Deductions - $0.00

* Note: Estimated using 2026 Federal tax tables. State and local income taxes are not included.

How It Works

Your net paycheck is calculated by starting with your gross wages, subtracting pre-tax deductions (such as retirement or medical savings accounts), and then withholding FICA payroll taxes and estimated federal income tax. FICA taxes comprise Social Security (6.2% up to annual wage cap) and Medicare (1.45% base rate). Federal withholding is computed by translating your paycheck into an annual baseline, subtracting the standard deduction, applying marginal income tax brackets, and dividing back by the annual pay periods.

Formula Used

FICA Tax = Social Security Tax + Medicare Tax
Social Security is withheld at 6.2% of gross wages up to the annual taxable wage limit. Medicare is withheld at 1.45% of gross wages, representing the employee share of federal payroll insurance taxes.
Federal Income Tax Withholding = Estimated Annual Income Tax / Pay Periods
Progressive federal income tax brackets are applied to annual taxable income (gross wages minus standard deduction). The resulting annual tax liability is divided by the total pay periods to determine the amount withheld from each paycheck.

Worked Example

Here is a step-by-step example of how these values are calculated:

Annual Gross $75,000
Filing Status Single
Frequency Bi-Weekly (26)
Pre-Tax Deductions $200/period
Result: Net paycheck: $2,044.89 (Gross $2,884.62, Pre-Tax Deductions $200.00, Federal Income Tax $317.06, Social Security $166.45, Medicare $38.93).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this paycheck calculator include state income taxes?
No, this calculator estimates federal taxes only. State and local payroll withholding tables vary widely by locality and are not incorporated to ensure offline precision.
What is the difference between pre-tax and post-tax deductions?
Pre-tax deductions (like standard health insurance or traditional 401k) are subtracted from your gross wages before taxes are calculated, lowering your taxable income. Post-tax deductions (like Roth contributions or garnishments) are subtracted after tax, offering no immediate tax shield.