Paycheck Calculator
Estimate your take-home pay per paycheck after 2026 federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state tax, and pre-tax deductions.
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Adjust the inputs on the left to see your take-home per paycheck.
Your salary and the number that actually lands in your bank account are two different things. Between federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, state tax, and pre-tax benefits like a 401(k) or health insurance, a $65,000 salary in the US typically becomes roughly $2,090 per biweekly paycheck. This calculator estimates that take-home number for 2026 using the official IRS inflation-adjusted figures.
How it's calculated
annual gross = salary (or hourly rate × hours/week × 52)
federal taxable = gross − pre-tax deductions − standard deduction
federal tax = 2026 bracket tax (10% to 37%)
Social Security = 6.2% × min(gross, $184,500)
Medicare = 1.45% × gross (+0.9% above $200k single / $250k MFJ)
state tax = flat % × (gross − pre-tax deductions)
take-home = gross − federal − FICA − state − pre-tax deductions
The 2026 standard deduction is $16,100 (single), $32,200 (married filing jointly), and $24,150 (head of household), per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32. The Social Security wage base of $184,500 comes from the SSA's 2026 announcement.
Assumptions and limitations
This is an estimate of annual tax liability spread evenly across paychecks — not a simulation of your employer's W-4 withholding tables, so your actual stub may differ. We apply the standard deduction only (no credits like the Child Tax Credit), and FICA is computed on full gross pay as a simplification. In reality, Section 125 health premiums reduce FICA wages while 401(k) deferrals do not — so if your pre-tax deductions are mostly health insurance, your real FICA bill is slightly lower than shown.
State tax is modeled as a single flat percentage. Nine states — Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming — levy no wage income tax, so leave the slider at 0 there. States with progressive brackets (like California, topping out at 13.3%) are best approximated with your effective state rate, not your top marginal rate. Local and city taxes (e.g., NYC) are not included.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my actual paycheck different from this estimate?
Employers withhold using your W-4 elections and IRS withholding tables, which spread an estimate of your annual tax across paychecks. Tax credits, extra withholding, local taxes, and benefits like FSA or commuter deductions all shift the real number. This calculator shows your true annual liability divided evenly per period.
What is FICA?
FICA covers Social Security and Medicare. In 2026 that is 6.2% Social Security tax on wages up to $184,500, plus 1.45% Medicare tax on all wages, plus an extra 0.9% Medicare surtax on wages above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly). Your employer pays a matching share.
Do 401(k) contributions reduce my taxes?
Traditional 401(k) contributions reduce federal and state income tax but not FICA — Social Security and Medicare are still taken on that money. The 2026 employee deferral limit is $24,500 ($32,500 if age 50+).
What is the 2026 standard deduction?
Per IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32: $16,100 for single filers and married filing separately, $32,200 for married filing jointly, and $24,150 for head of household.
Which states have no income tax?
Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming have no tax on wage income. Set the state slider to 0 if you live in one of them.
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Results from this calculator are estimates for informational use only — not financial, medical, or professional advice. Read our full disclaimer before acting on any number you see here.