How the calculator works

The paycheck calculator estimates a full year of pay and taxes, then divides by the number of paychecks in the year. Everything runs in your browser; the steps are below.

1. Gross pay

• Salary: the annual salary you enter.
• Hourly: hourly rate × regular hours per week × 52 weeks, plus overtime: hourly rate × overtime multiplier (1.5× or 2×) × overtime hours per week × 52.
• Paychecks per year: weekly 52, every two weeks 26, twice a month 24, monthly 12, annually 1.

2. Pre-tax deductions

Deductions are entered per paycheck and multiplied by the number of paychecks.

• 401(k) / 403(b): lowers income subject to federal and state income tax, but not Social Security or Medicare.
• HSA, health insurance, FSA (Section 125 plans): lowers income subject to income tax and to Social Security and Medicare.

3. Federal income tax

1. Start with wages after pre-tax deductions.
2. Subtract the standard deduction for your filing status. For 2026 that is $16,100 (single or married filing separately), $32,200 (married filing jointly), or $24,150 (head of household).
3. For 2025 through 2028, hourly workers also subtract the overtime deduction: the time-and-a-half premium (half the regular rate for each overtime hour), up to $12,500 ($25,000 married filing jointly). It shrinks by $100 for each $1,000 of income over $150,000 ($300,000 jointly), and married-filing-separately filers can't take it.
4. Apply the tax brackets for the year and filing status, from 10% up to 37%.
5. Subtract dependent credits: the child tax credit ($2,200 per child under 17 for 2025 and 2026; $2,000 for 2024) and the credit for other dependents ($500 each). Together they shrink by $50 for each $1,000 (or part of $1,000) of income over $200,000 ($400,000 jointly). Credits can bring federal tax to $0 but not below; the refundable part of the child tax credit is paid at filing time, not through paychecks, so it isn't included.

The results show your marginal rate (the rate on your last dollar of taxable income) and effective rate (federal income tax divided by gross pay).

4. Social Security and Medicare (FICA)

• Social Security: 6.2% of wages up to the yearly wage base ($184,500 for 2026).
• Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, plus an extra 0.9% on wages over $200,000. Employers withhold the extra 0.9% at $200,000 regardless of filing status.
• Overtime pay is subject to both, even when it is deductible for income tax.

5. State income tax

Each state's brackets, standard deduction, and personal exemption come from the Tax Foundation's yearly tables. Nine states don't tax wages: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming. Some states give their exemption as a tax credit instead of a deduction; the calculator handles both. Married-filing-separately and head-of-household filers use the state's single schedule.

What isn't included

• Local and city income taxes (such as New York City or Ohio municipalities).
• State disability and paid-leave programs (such as California SDI or Washington PFML).
• State dependent exemptions and credits.
• Other federal credits, itemized deductions, and W-4 extra withholding.

Results are estimates for planning, not tax advice. Your employer's withholding can differ, and your actual tax is settled when you file your return.

Sources

• IRS Revenue Procedures 2023-34 (2024), 2024-40 (2025), and 2025-32 (2026) for brackets and standard deductions; the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) for 2025 changes, the child tax credit, and the overtime deduction.
• Social Security Administration yearly fact sheets for the wage base.
• Tax Foundation state income tax rates and brackets.