Financial
Paycheck Calculator 2026
See exactly what comes out of your paycheck — federal income tax, state tax, Social Security, and Medicare — using 2026 tax tables. Enter salary or hourly rate.
Take-Home Per Paycheck
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Gross Pay
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per paycheck
Federal Tax
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FICA
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SS + Medicare
State Tax
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Where your paycheck goes
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Take Home
Annual tax breakdown
Pay period comparison
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How this calculator works
Federal income tax uses 2026 IRS tax brackets with the standard deduction ($15,000 single / $30,000 MFJ / $11,150 MFS / $22,500 HOH). Social Security is 6.2% up to the $176,100 wage base; Medicare is 1.45% on all wages plus a 0.9% additional tax above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (MFJ). State income tax uses each state's 2026 flat or progressive rates.
This calculator estimates employee withholding only. It does not account for pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, health insurance), post-tax deductions, or local income taxes (e.g., NYC surcharge). Effective tax rate = total taxes / gross income.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 2026 federal income tax brackets?
For 2026, single filers: 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 → 37% above. Married filing jointly brackets are roughly double. Only income within each bracket is taxed at that rate — that's what "marginal" means. The standard deduction ($15,000 for single) is subtracted first.
How much Social Security and Medicare tax is withheld?
Social Security (OASDI) is 6.2% on wages up to $176,100 in 2026 — once you hit that wage base, SS withholding stops for the year. Medicare is 1.45% on all wages with no cap. If you earn above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (MFJ), an extra 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax applies to the excess. Your employer matches the 6.2% SS and 1.45% Medicare rates on their end.
Which states have no income tax?
Among the top 10 states, Texas and Florida have no state income tax. Nationally, Nevada, Washington, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Alaska also have no income tax. New Hampshire taxes only investment income (not wages). This calculator shows $0 state tax for TX and FL — meaning more take-home versus a comparable income in CA or NY.
What is the 2026 standard deduction?
The 2026 standard deduction is $15,000 (single), $30,000 (married filing jointly), $11,150 (married filing separately), and $22,500 (head of household). This amount is subtracted from your gross income before applying the progressive tax brackets. Most wage earners claim the standard deduction rather than itemizing.
Does pay frequency affect my taxes?
No — pay frequency affects each paycheck's size but not your total annual tax. Whether you're paid weekly (52 checks), biweekly (26), semi-monthly (24), or monthly (12), you pay the same total taxes per year. Each paycheck just represents a smaller or larger slice of the annual total.
How is California state income tax calculated?
California has 9 progressive brackets from 1% to 9.3% for most incomes, with a 10.3% bracket starting at $299,509 (single, 2026). California also charges SDI (State Disability Insurance) at 1.1% on all wages with no wage base cap — this calculator includes SDI in the California state tax figure. CA has no standard deduction for SDI, making it one of the most heavily taxed states.
What's not included in this calculator?
This calculator estimates employee-side payroll taxes only. It does not include: 401(k) or 403(b) contributions (pre-tax reduces federal taxable income), HSA contributions, health/dental/vision insurance premiums, local city taxes (e.g., New York City adds up to 3.876%), state SDI for states other than CA, or Paid Family Leave contributions. For a precise number, compare against your actual pay stub.