Free Paycheck Calculator 2026
Estimate your exact take-home pay after 2026 federal income tax, state tax, and FICA withholdings across all 50 states.
Paycheck Details
Calculation Results
California • SINGLE
| Income & Deductions | Amount (perPaycheck) |
|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $2,884.62 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$298.38 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$178.85 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$41.83 |
| California State Tax | -$116.04 |
| Total Taxes & Deductions | -$635.09 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,249.53 |
Specialized Payroll & Tax Calculators
Choose a dedicated tool tailored to your specific pay structure.
Salary Calculator
Estimate annual salary net pay, bi-weekly, and monthly breakdowns.
Hourly Calculator
Calculate hourly pay, overtime (1.5x), and shift differential taxes.
Bonus Tax Calculator
Calculate tax withholding on bonuses using IRS flat 22% rate.
Overtime Calculator
Calculate time-and-a-half overtime earnings and net check totals.
Gross-Up Calculator
Find the gross pay needed to hit a desired net take-home amount.
Tax Bracket Explorer
Explore official 2026 IRS federal tax brackets for all filing statuses.
How to Calculate Your Paycheck in 2026: The Complete Guide
Understanding your paycheck is essential for budgeting, financial planning, and evaluating new job offers. When you receive a salary or hourly wage, your employer is required by law to withhold taxes and voluntary deductions before depositing your remaining money into your bank account.
1. Federal Income Tax Withholding
The United States uses a progressive tax system with seven federal income tax brackets for 2026: 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%. The IRS adjusts these bracket thresholds annually for inflation. Your federal withholding depends on your annual income, filing status (Single, Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household), and selections on Form W-4.
2. FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
Under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA), employees contribute to federal social insurance programs:
- Social Security (OASDI): 6.2% of your gross pay up to the 2026 wage base limit of $184,500. Earnings above $184,500 are exempt from Social Security tax.
- Medicare: 1.45% of all gross pay with no upper wage cap. High earners (over $200,000 for single filers) pay an additional 0.9% surtax.
3. State & Local Income Taxes
State income tax laws vary dramatically. States like California, New York, and Minnesota have progressive rates climbing over 9%, while states like Indiana, Colorado, and Illinois use flat tax rates. Nine states (including Texas, Florida, and Washington) levy 0% income tax on wages.
Paycheck Calculators by US State
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a paycheck calculator estimate take-home pay?
A paycheck calculator takes your gross income (salary or hourly wage) and subtracts pre-tax deductions (like 401k and health insurance), mandatory federal income tax based on 2026 IRS tax brackets, FICA taxes (6.2% Social Security + 1.45% Medicare), and state or local income taxes to determine your net pay.
What taxes are withheld from my paycheck in 2026?
Every US employee has three main categories of tax withheld: Federal Income Tax (10% to 37% progressive rates), FICA Taxes (6.2% Social Security up to $184,500 wage base limit + 1.45% Medicare), and State/Local Income Tax (0% to 13.3% depending on your state).
Which states have no state income tax in 2026?
Nine U.S. states do not tax wage income: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.
How do pre-tax deductions increase my take-home value?
Pre-tax deductions like 401(k), HSA, and FSA contributions reduce your taxable income before federal and state taxes are calculated, lowering the amount of tax withheld from your check.
What is the difference between gross pay and net pay?
Gross pay is your total earned income before any taxes or deductions are subtracted. Net pay (take-home pay) is the actual amount deposited into your bank account after all withholdings.