💰 Paycheck Calculator (2026)
Federal income tax + FICA only — official 2026 rates. State tax not included (varies by state).
What This Calculator Includes (and What It Doesn't)
Included: 2026 federal income tax (using the standard deduction and official IRS brackets), Social Security (6.2% up to the $184,500 2026 wage base), and Medicare (1.45%, plus 0.9% additional Medicare tax on wages above $200,000 single / $250,000 married filing jointly).
Not included: State and local income tax (varies enormously — nine states have none at all), tax credits, above-the-line deductions beyond what you enter, and any benefits deductions beyond the simple pre-tax amount you enter. Your actual paycheck will differ.
Guide: understanding your result
- Take-home pay = gross pay − federal income tax − Social Security (6.2%) − Medicare (1.45%) − state/local tax − your own deductions.
- Social Security tax stops once wages reach the annual wage base ($184,500 for 2026).
- Pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions lower federal income tax but not FICA tax.
Worked example
A single filer earning $65,000 a year, paid every two weeks, with the 2026 standard deduction and no other adjustments:
| Item | Per year | Per paycheck (26) |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $65,000 | $2,500.00 |
| Federal income tax | $5,620 | $216.15 |
| Social Security | $4,030 | $155.00 |
| Medicare | $943 | $36.25 |
| Take-home (before state tax) | $54,408 | $2,092.60 |
Actual withholding depends on your Form W-4 and your employer's payroll method. State and local taxes are not included.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing withholding with your actual tax bill — the difference becomes your refund or balance due.
- Forgetting to update Form W-4 after marriage, a second job or a new child.
Official sources
- IRS — Tax Withholding Estimator
- IRS — Topic 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates
- SSA — Contribution and benefit base
Examples are calculated live from the same data the calculator uses and are for education only — they are not financial, tax or investment advice.
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