Paycheck Calculator

Estimate your take-home pay after federal income tax, state tax, FICA, local tax, pre-tax deductions, post-tax deductions, and additional withholding.

Disclaimer

This paycheck calculator is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not tax, legal, payroll, accounting, or financial advice. Results are estimates and may differ from your actual paycheck because of employer payroll settings, tax credits, dependents, itemized deductions, pretax benefit rules, local taxes, wage limits, state-specific rules, and changes in federal or state law.

For exact withholding, consult your employer payroll department, a qualified tax professional, or official government tax resources.

References

The following government resources may help you verify current tax rules, withholding guidance, and payroll tax limits:

• IRS Tax Withholding Estimator
• IRS Form W-4 Information
• IRS Publication 15-T: Federal Income Tax Withholding Methods
• Social Security Contribution and Benefit Base
• IRS Topic No. 560: Additional Medicare Tax
• USA.gov State Tax Information

FAQ

What is take-home pay?

Take-home pay is the amount you receive after taxes, payroll deductions, benefit deductions, and additional withholding are subtracted from your gross pay.

Why is my actual paycheck different from the estimate?

Your actual paycheck may differ because of employer payroll rules, benefit elections, tax credits, dependents, local taxes, state-specific deductions, bonuses, overtime, wage caps, and current withholding elections on Form W-4.

Does a 401(k) contribution reduce my paycheck?

Yes. A traditional 401(k) contribution usually reduces your current paycheck, but it may also reduce taxable income for federal income tax purposes. Roth 401(k) contributions are generally made after tax and are treated differently.

Does this calculator include Social Security and Medicare?

Yes. The calculator includes Social Security and Medicare payroll tax estimates. Social Security may be limited by an annual wage base, while Medicare generally applies to all wages and may include an additional Medicare tax above certain income thresholds.