Paycheck Calculator 2026
Calculate your net take-home pay after federal, state, and FICA taxes. Select your state for accurate withholding estimates.
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How the Paycheck Calculator Works
This free paycheck calculator estimates your take-home pay based on your gross salary, filing status, state of residence, and pre-tax deductions. It uses the 2026 federal income tax brackets, Social Security tax (6.2% on income up to $176,100), Medicare tax (1.45% plus 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on income above $200,000), and state income tax rates for all 50 US states.
2026 Federal Income Tax Brackets (Single)
The 2026 tax brackets for single filers are: 10% on income up to $11,925, 12% from $11,925 to $48,475, 22% from $48,475 to $103,350, 24% from $103,350 to $197,300, 32% from $197,300 to $250,525, 35% from $250,525 to $626,350, and 37% on income above $626,350. The standard deduction for 2026 is $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married filing jointly.
States With No Income Tax
Nine US states have no state income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Residents of these states keep more of their paycheck because only federal and FICA taxes are deducted. This calculator accounts for this automatically when you select your state.
Understanding FICA Taxes
FICA (Federal Insurance Contributions Act) taxes fund Social Security and Medicare. In 2026, you pay 6.2% for Social Security on the first $176,100 of earnings and 1.45% for Medicare on all earnings. If you earn more than $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married), an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax applies to income above the threshold.
How Pre-Tax Deductions Reduce Your Taxes
Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions, health insurance premiums, and HSA contributions are subtracted from your gross pay before taxes are calculated. This means every dollar you contribute to a 401(k) reduces your taxable income, lowering both your federal and state income taxes. For example, contributing $500/month to a 401(k) at a 22% federal tax rate saves you $110/month in federal taxes alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Take-home pay is calculated by subtracting federal income tax, state income tax, Social Security tax (6.2%), and Medicare tax (1.45%) from your gross salary. Pre-tax deductions like 401(k) contributions are subtracted before taxes are calculated.
For single filers in 2026, the brackets are: 10% up to $11,925, 12% up to $48,475, 22% up to $103,350, 24% up to $197,300, 32% up to $250,525, 35% up to $626,350, and 37% above that. The standard deduction is $15,000.
Nine states have no income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Residents keep more take-home pay.
401(k) contributions are pre-tax, meaning they reduce your taxable income. A $500/month 401(k) contribution at a 22% tax bracket saves approximately $110/month in federal taxes.