Take-Home Pay Calculator
Turn a salary into what lands in your account. Uses 2026 federal tax brackets, payroll taxes and an estimated state rate.
How take-home pay is calculated
Your paycheck is your salary minus several deductions. This calculator applies them in the order that payroll does:
- Pre-tax 401(k): money you put into a traditional 401(k) reduces the income that federal and most state income tax is based on. It does not reduce Social Security and Medicare tax.
- Federal income tax: the standard deduction ($16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly in 2026) is subtracted first. The rest is taxed in layers, called brackets.
- Social Security: 6.2% of wages up to $184,500 in 2026.
- Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, plus an extra 0.9% on wages above $200,000 for single filers and $250,000 for married couples filing jointly.
- State income tax: you enter an estimated rate. Some states, such as Texas and Florida, do not tax wages.
2026 federal tax brackets
Each rate applies only to the slice of taxable income inside its range, not to all your income. Single filers:
| Rate | Taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $12,400 |
| 12% | $12,400 to $50,400 |
| 22% | $50,400 to $105,700 |
| 24% | $105,700 to $201,775 |
| 32% | $201,775 to $256,225 |
| 35% | $256,225 to $640,600 |
| 37% | Over $640,600 |
Married filing jointly:
| Rate | Taxable income |
|---|---|
| 10% | $0 to $24,800 |
| 12% | $24,800 to $100,800 |
| 22% | $100,800 to $211,400 |
| 24% | $211,400 to $403,550 |
| 32% | $403,550 to $512,450 |
| 35% | $512,450 to $768,700 |
| 37% | Over $768,700 |
Marginal rate and effective rate
Your marginal rate is the rate on your last dollar of taxable income, which is the bracket you fall in. Your effective rate is your total federal tax divided by your salary, and it is always lower. Moving into a higher bracket only taxes the extra income at the higher rate, so a raise never lowers your take-home pay.
Example
A single filer earning $75,000 has taxable income of $58,900 after the standard deduction. Federal income tax is about $7,670, Social Security $4,650 and Medicare $1,088. With a 5% state tax estimate of $3,750, take-home pay is about $57,842 a year, or $4,820 a month.
What is not included
This is a simplified estimate. It does not include other income, itemized deductions, tax credits such as the child tax credit, local or city taxes, health insurance and other payroll deductions, or head of household filing. Your actual paycheck depends on your W-4 and your employer's payroll.
Figures are for tax year 2026. Tax rules change, so check irs.gov or a tax professional for your own situation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between gross and take-home pay?
Gross pay is your salary before anything is taken out. Take-home pay, also called net pay, is what remains after taxes and deductions such as a 401(k).
Does a 401(k) contribution lower my taxes?
A traditional 401(k) lowers the income used for federal and most state income tax, so your take-home pay falls by less than the amount you contribute. It does not lower Social Security or Medicare tax.
What state tax rate should I enter?
Enter 0 if your state does not tax wages. Otherwise use your state's rate for your income level, which your state revenue department publishes. The calculator treats it as a flat percentage.
Why is my real paycheck different?
Employers also withhold for health insurance, other benefits and local taxes, and withholding depends on your W-4. This calculator shows the annual tax picture, not your exact payroll.